Conversion of loyalty program points to commerce partner points per terms of a mutual agreement

ABSTRACT

A computer converts a first quantity of loyalty program points of a loyalty program possessed by a member held in a first account to a second quantity of different loyalty program points possessed by the member held in a second account in accordance with a fixed ratio. The loyalty program points and the different loyalty program points are non-fungible, non-negotiable units of exchange. A mutual agreement exists between program operators to permit the conversion. Responsive to the converting: the first quantity of loyalty program points is subtracted from the first account; the second quantity of different loyalty program points is added to the second account; and the entity compensates the commerce partner in accordance with mutual agreement. A transformation results in the different loyalty program points that are subject to terms, conditions, or restrictions of the different loyalty program and not of the loyalty program.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation in part application of Ser. No. 14/612,863 (FiledFeb. 3, 2015); Ser. No. 14/314,178 (filed Jun. 25, 2014); U.S.application Ser. No. 14/314,196 (Filed Jun. 25, 2014); and U.S.application Ser. No. 14/314,297 (Filed Jun. 25, 2014), which werepending at the time of this filing. Application (Ser. No. 14/612,863) ispart of a chain of patents, each ultimately claiming priority to aparent that is U.S. application Ser. No. 11/420,255 (Filed 25 May 2006)now U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,673. The chain of priority and relationships isdetailed below. FIG. 16 was not included the above referencedapplications, which is the reason this patent is listed as acontinuation in part. Support for the claimed limitations is asserted asexisting so claiming the benefit of the earlier date(s) is appropriatefor the pending claims. The chain of priority and cross-referencedapplications is extensive as detailed below. Per the disclosure andnotification function of cross-referencing related applications,Applicants advise a reader to carefully walk through the chain ofreferences noting the relationships detailed in each case, a summary ofwhich is provided below.

Walking the chain of priority and the relationships in order by date(all applications and patents are U.S. Applications), the originalfiling is U.S. application Ser. No. 11/420,255 filed on May 25, 2006issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,673 (the '673 patent). U.S. applicationSer. No. 12/720,743 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,123,127 (the '127 patent) filedMar. 10, 2010 is a continuation in part (CIP) of the '673 patent. U.S.application Ser. No. 12/759,506 now U.S. Pat. No. 9,162,209 (the '209patent) filed Apr. 13, 2010 is a continuation of the '127 patent and aCIP of the '673 patent. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/168,814 now U.S.Pat. No. 8,376,224 (the '224 patent) filed on Jun. 24, 2011 is a CIP ofthe '673, '127, '209 patents, and converts provisional 61/358,650 filedon Jun. 25, 2010. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/359,080 now U.S. Pat. No.8,181,863 (the '863 patent) filed on Jan. 26, 2012 is a continuation ofthe '673 patent. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/359,104 now U.S. Pat. No.8,181,864 (the '864 patent) filed on Jan. 26, 2012 is a continuation ofthe '673 patent. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/359,120 now U.S. Pat. No.8,186,583 (the '583 patent) filed on Jan. 26, 2012 is a continuation ofthe '673 patent. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/428,656 now U.S. Pat. No.8,201,734 (the '734 patent) filed on Mar. 23, 2012 is a continuation ofthe '673 patent. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/441,365 now U.S. Pat. No.8,245,925 (the '925 patent) filed on Apr. 6, 2012 is a continuation ofthe '673 patent. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/441,365 now U.S. Pat. No.8,267,315 (the '315 patent) filed on May 24, 2012 is a continuation ofthe '673 patent. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/532,342 now U.S. Pat. No.8,297,502 (the '502 patent) filed on May 24, 2012 is a continuation ofthe '673 patent. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/531,904 now U.S. Pat. No.8,313,023 (the '023 patent) filed on Jun. 25, 2012 is a continuation ofthe '673 patent. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/542,451 now U.S. Pat. No.8,342,399 (the '399 patent) filed on Jul. 5, 2012 is a CIP of the '673,'127, '209, and '224 patents, and converts provisional 61/595,351 filedon Feb. 6, 2012, 61/595,263 filed on Feb. 6, 2012, and 61/595,429 filedon Jun. 25, 2010. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/681,479 now U.S. Pat. No.8,684,265 (the '265 patent) filed on Nov. 20, 2012 is a CIP of the '673,'127, '209, '224, '399 patents, and converts provisional 61/595,351,61/595,263, and 61/595,429. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/681,493 nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,668,146 (the '146 patent) filed on Nov. 20, 2012 is aCIP of the '673, '127, '209, '224, '399 patents, and convertsprovisional 61/595,351, 61/595,263, and 61/595,429. U.S. applicationSer. No. 13/863,605 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,523,063 (the '063 patent) filedon Apr. 16, 2013 is a continuation of the '399, '146, and '265 patentsand is a CIP of the '673 patent. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/863,556now U.S. Pat. No. 8,511,550 (the '550 patent) filed on Apr. 16, 2013 isa continuation of the '673 and '502 patents and a CIP of the '146 and'265 patents. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/899,023 now U.S. Pat. No.8,523,064 (the '064 patent) filed on May 21, 2013 is a continuation ofthe '502 patent. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/901,175 now U.S. Pat. No.8,540,152 (the '152 patent) filed on May 23, 2013 is a continuation ofthe '399 patent. U.S. application Ser. No. 14/034,492 now U.S. Pat. No.8,833,650 (the '650 patent) filed on Sep. 23, 2013 is a continuation ofthe '152 patent and is a CIP of the '673 patent. U.S. application Ser.No. 13/969,873 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,763,901 (the '901 patent) filed onAug. 19, 2013 is a continuation of the '502 patent and application Ser.No. 13/420,255 and is a CIP of the '146 patent and the '265 patent. U.S.application Ser. No. 13/969,896 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,783,563 (the '563patent) filed on Aug. 19, 2013 is a continuation of the '502, '550, and'064 patents and application Ser. No. 13/420,255 and is a CIP of the'146 patent and the '265 patents. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/969,936now U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,518 (the '518 patent) filed on Aug. 19, 2013 isa continuation of the '502, '550, and '064 patents and application Ser.No. 13/420,255 and is a CIP of the '146 patent and the '265 patents.U.S. application Ser. No. 14/024,936 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,789,752 (the'752 patent) filed on Sep. 12, 2013 is a continuation of the '146, '265,and '152 patents. U.S. application Ser. No. 14/024,921 now U.S. Pat. No.8,807,427 (the '427 patent) filed on Sep. 12, 2013 is a continuation ofthe '146, '265, and '152 patents. U.S. application Ser. No. 14/314,178now U.S. Pat. No. 8,944,320 (the '320 patent) filed on Jun. 25, 2014 isa continuation of the '673, '518, '901, '563, '752, '427, and '650patents. U.S. application Ser. No. 14/314,196 now U.S. Pat. No.8,973,821 (the '821 patent) filed on Jun. 25, 2014 is a continuation ofthe '518, '901, '563, '752, '427, and '650 patents and is a CIP of the'673 patent, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/314,297 now U.S. Pat. No.8,950,669 (the '669 patent) filed on Jun. 25, 2014 is a continuation ofthe '673, '518, '901, '563, '752, '427, and '650 patents and is a CIP ofthe '673 patent. U.S. application Ser. No. 14/611,764 now U.S. Pat. No.9,230,264 (the '264 patent) filed on Feb. 2, 2015 is a continuation ofthe '821, '669, and '320 patents. U.S. application Ser. No. 14/612,863now U.S. Pat. No. 9,251,528 (the '528 patent) filed on Feb. 3, 2015 is acontinuation of the '821, '669, and '320 patents. U.S. application Ser.No. 15/013,129 (the '129 application) filed on Feb. 2, 2016 is acontinuation of the '528, '320, '821, and '669 patents.

The present filing is a CIP of the '673 patent (application Ser. No.11/420,255), the '127 patent (application Ser. No. 12/720,743), the '209patent (application Ser. No. 12/759,506), the '224 patent (applicationSer. No. 13/168,814), the '863 patent (application Ser. No. 13/542,451),the '864 patent (application Ser. No. 13/542,451), the '583 patent(application Ser. No. 13/542,451), the '734 patent (application Ser. No.13/542,451), the '925 patent (application Ser. No. 13/542,451), the '315patent (application Ser. No. 13/542,451), the '502 patent (applicationSer. No. 13/542,451), the '023 patent (application Ser. No. 13/531,904),the '399 patent (application Ser. No. 13/542,451), the '550 patent(application Ser. No. 13/863,556), the '064 patent (application Ser. No.13/899,023), the '175 patent (application Ser. No. 13/901,175), the '265patent (application Ser. No. 13/681,479), the '146 patent (applicationSer. No. 13/681,493), the '063 patent (application Ser. No. 13/863,605),the '650 patent (application Ser. No. 14/034,492), the '901 patent(application Ser. No. 13/969,873), the '563 patent (application Ser. No.13/969,896), the '752 patent (application Ser. No. 14/024,936), the '518patent (application Ser. No. 13/969,936), the '427 patent (applicationSer. No. 14/024,921), the '320 patent (application Ser. No. 14/314,178),the '821 patent (application Ser. No. 14/314,196), the '669 patent(application Ser. No. 14/314,297), the '264 patent (application Ser. No.14/611,764), the '528 patent (application Ser. No. 14/612,863).

The entire contents of each and every one of the above utility andprovisional applications and patents are incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to the field of Automated Teller Machinesand, more particularly, to loyalty point conversions, and morespecifically to conversion of loyalty program points to commerce partnerpoints per terms of a mutual agreement.

Merchants have used loyalty rewards programs for many years to createand maintain customer loyalty and increase the perceived value of theirgoods and services. However, the perceived value of the loyalty programrewards points is diminished by the limited redemption options availableto the loyalty program member that the reward points granting entityprovide.

Loyalty point exchange systems emerged that allow members of differentloyalty programs to exchange rewards points in one loyalty program forloyalty points in another. The exchange systems did not operate loyaltypoints programs of their own, but acted as proxies for a number of thirdparty loyalty program operators. In these exchange systems, no loyaltyprogram operator had any agreement with any other loyalty programoperator. Instead, each loyalty program operator unilaterallyestablished a “buy rate” and “sell rate,” which the exchange systemrelied upon. POINTS.COM is an example of such an exchange system thatnecessarily suffers from a low conversion rate and a continuous loss ofvalue, as each transaction is an open market transaction. Open markettransactions impede an ability of a loyalty program operator to shapefuture consumer behavior, which is a value of running the loyaltyprogram achieved by the loyalty program operator. In other words, openmarket transactions turn otherwise negotiable units of value (loyaltypoints) into a fungible unit of value, thereby circumventing loyaltyoperator established restrictions, conditions, and constraintsintentionally implemented for member behavior shaping purposes.Traditionally, exchange centers (like POINTS.COM) have not recognizedpitfalls of turning non-negotiable units of value (loyalty points) intofungible units of exchange, which is addressed herein in a novel manner.

That is, conventional exchange systems had certain drawbacks inherent intheir implementations that are consistent with blindspots present inconventional teachings specific to loyalty points and theirtransferability. In conventional exchange systems, customer loyalty to aparticular merchant was reduced, loyalty program operator's ability tochannel customer behavior was diminished, and the centralized loyaltypoint conversion systems added a middleman charge to every transaction.The inventors of the present disclosure and related patents of the samefamily realized that by limiting the points conversions by agreement tocomplementary businesses such as hotels, airlines, and rental caragencies, the agreed parties could offer their loyalty program membersthe benefits of increased redemption options while still getting thebenefit of creating and maintaining customer loyalty that the loyaltyprograms were intended to provide. Furthermore, customer behavior couldbe channeled to the benefit of each of the commerce partners who wereparties to the agreement, and cross promotions and other marketingprograms could enhance each partners business with no detriment to theircomplementary business partners. Thus, advantages of a specific consumerpartner relationship and member exposure to this relationship serves tobalance negatives resulting from increased fungibility of loyaltyprogram points, from a program operator perspective.

The value of the synergy created by these agreed loyalty pointconversion arrangements was not apparent to loyalty program operators atthe time of the filing of the parent patent in the present patent familyon May 25, 2006, as evidenced by the lack of any such systems at thattime. Today, however, almost all sole source loyalty program operators(operators having strong loyalty program barriers that expressly imposerestrictions, conditions, and constraints that limit fungibility ofgranted loyalty points) in the airline, hotel, rental car agency, creditcard, and other industries operate under these kind of mutuallybeneficial points conversion agreements.

Another attempted solution to granting consumers increased redemptionoptions is to aggregate large sets of retailers into a single rewardsprogram. These aggregated programs, sometimes referred to as networkedloyalty programs, have disadvantages in that participating retailerssurrender control to a centralized, aggregate program. In theseprograms, many merchants distribute points originated by the networkedprogram operator that secures or backs the points (thus guaranteeing thevalue). Within the network loyalty program, network points are fungibleacross point distributing merchants. In these networked loyaltyprograms, however, merchants are restricted from shaping behavior ofcustomer to an extent possible with sole source program since incentivespresent for the program operator (the networked loyalty programoperator) are based on increasing merchant and consumer participation tocreate a “natural monopoly” that reinforces and incentives participantsto join the networked program (which the networked loyalty programoperator receives fees or profit on a per-transaction basis, justifyingthe operating costs from the program operator perspective). Thus,merchants do not have their own “program” but are participants in thenetworked program, which inherently imposes operating constraints on themerchant distributers—as there is a tension between merchantdesires/incentives and those of the networked loyalty program operator.In other words, merchants have a hard time restricting redemptionoptions to those minimizing merchant costs and have a challenge shapingconsumer behavior using restrictions, conditions, and other constraints(such as redemption constraints, expiration dates that provide pointpressure on members, and member-ship requirements specific to themerchant as other merchants are point distributing participants bynature of a networked program) that are inherently/implicitly present ina well-balanced independent loyalty program (such as those typicallyoperated by airlines and hotels). For example, if competitors arepermitted to join in the aggregate program (as merchant pointdistributers), customers of the aggregate program have options withinthe program for competing goods and services. Loyalty to a specificretailer is compromised.

In the present disclosure, the loyalty points are “non-negotiable”because of the restrictions imposed by the points granting entitybecome, as a result of the conversion, funds that are independent of thegranting entity and its restrictions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system in which non-negotiable funds earnedthrough a variety of actions or anticipated future actions are convertedinto negotiable funds in accordance with an embodiment of the inventivearrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for the Web based granting andconversion of non-negotiable credits to negotiable funds in accordancewith an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 is a depiction of successive GUIs that illustrate a web basedcredit granting event with credit redemption indicia and subsequentconversion of non-negotiable funds into negotiable funds in accordancewith an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 is a depiction of a scenario and a set of GUIs for grantingentertainment credits and presenting indicia for conversionopportunities of the non-negotiable funds earned by a consumer throughinteractions with the credit granting entity into negotiable funds inaccordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosedherein.

FIG. 5 is a depiction of a scenario and a set of GUIs for grantingentertainment credits and directing a consumer to conversionopportunities of the non-negotiable funds earned by the consumer througha game of chance with the credit granting entity into negotiable fundsin accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosedherein.

FIG. 6 is a depiction of a scenario and a set of GUIs for grantingentertainment credits and directing conversion opportunities of thenon-negotiable funds earned by a consumer through a gambling activitywith the credit granting entity into negotiable funds in accordance withan embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of system for converting non-negotiablecredits associated with a game providing entity to negotiable funds inaccordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosedherein.

FIG. 8 is a depiction of a scenario and a set of GUIs for convertingnon-negotiable funds earned through participation awards into negotiablefunds in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangementsdisclosed herein.

FIG. 9 is a depiction of a scenario and a set of GUIs for convertingnon-negotiable funds earned through personal achievements intonegotiable funds in accordance with an embodiment of the inventivearrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 10 is a depiction of a scenario and a set of GUIs for convertingnon-negotiable funds earned through sponsored initiatives or subsidiesinto negotiable funds in accordance with an embodiment of the inventivearrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 11 is a depiction of scenarios and GUIs for convertingnon-negotiable funds earned through social networking activities intonegotiable funds in accordance with an embodiment of the inventivearrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 12 is a depiction of successive GUIs that illustrate a web basedcredit advance and subsequent conversion of non-negotiable funds intonegotiable funds in accordance with an embodiment of the inventivearrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a set of interfaces within agame of chance for the conversion of non-negotiable credits tonegotiable funds in accordance with an embodiment of the inventivearrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a set of interfaces within agame of chance for the conversion of non-negotiable credits tonegotiable funds in accordance with an embodiment of the inventivearrangements disclosed herein

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a set of embodiments within a gameof chance for the conversion of non-negotiable entertainment credits tonegotiable funds in accordance with an embodiment of the inventivearrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 16a is a flowchart illustrating a loyalty program for a business.

FIG. 16b is a flowchart illustrating two loyalty programs for twodifferent business that are connected by a “bridge”.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Loyalty programs are structured marketing efforts that reward loyaltyand attempt to affect future consumer behavior. This behavior is alteredby providing loyalty points to members of the loyalty program, which aresubject to the terms and conditions imposed by the loyalty programoperator. Members can earn and spend the points as guided by the programoperator, and per the restrictions imposed on the program. Effectively,loyalty points are the “carrot” that guides consumer behavior.Restrictions and conditions (imposed by loyalty program operators afterthe members have earned points) are the “stick” that helps mold or shapethe consumer behavior.

A simplistic depiction of a loyalty program illustrated in FIG. 16Ashows that the most basic elements are that loyalty programs requirememberships, where members can earn points in that member's account. Thepoints can be used to purchase rewards offered by the loyalty program.

Consumer behavior is shaped since a member may have an upcoming flight(in an airline loyalty program) and choose an airline that he is amember of, if he/she receives a free seat upgrade for that flight, evenif the competing airline is cheaper as a default, since paying for anupgraded ticket would be more expensive in absence of the upgrade earnedthrough point accumulation. Thus, loyalty is rewarded, and the businessrunning the program receives a benefit of increased patronage. If amember does not meet membership criteria (established by the loyaltyprogram operator and subject to change even after points are earned),previously earned points can expire and/or be lost entirely.

Successful loyalty programs receive more business on average from theirloyalty program members than from non-members. Consumer behavior isshaped by the programs conditions and restrictions (like requiring acertain number of points within a time period to receive a reward). Toshape behavior using the “structured marketing effort” that is atraditional loyalty program, the earned points must be non-negotiableand the program operator must maintain a level of control—else theshaping of consumer behavior is sacrificed and the purpose of atraditional loyalty program is not served.

With the above as context, embodiments of the present disclosure includematerial limitations to create a bridge between two different loyaltyprograms, as illustrated by FIG. 16B, each with their own programspecific boundaries.

By default, there is no bridge between different loyalty programs. Thatis, a person can belong to multiple different loyalty programs butcannot spend points earned from a first loyalty program for rewardsprovided by a second loyalty program due to hard program boundaries. Asnoted above, these program boundaries are non-trivial as they exist andare required to ensure that the loyalty programs can serve theirintended function of shaping consumer behavior. If points were freelytransferrable and made into negotiable funds (like a baseline currency)the loyalty program loses all consumer behavior shaping effects. Thatis, if earned points were “cash” currency, the flyer of the earlierexample, would “cash out” their points and fly with Airline 2 (insteadof Airline 1) if airline 2 (in absence of the loyalty reward incentive)offered a better cash deal for a given transaction. The persuasive forceof rewards to ensure loyalty requires the existence of a programboundary, which favors patronage of a loyalty program operator'sservices over those of competitors.

This persuasive force present in the example above (and a traditionalloyalty program having a strong program boundary across whichnon-negotiable credits are not able to easily cross) is a direct resultof conditions imposed upon already granted points, which lock theredemption of these loyalty points into services provided by a specificvender. The loyalty point operators do not want points to be negotiableor to be fungible across the program boundaries—else their function as apersuasive force for guiding/shaping future member behavior diminishessubstantially.

Another significant point with traditional loyalty programs is there isan inherent tension between customer desires and those of the loyaltyprogram operator (e.g., the business providing the program). Thecustomer wants to minimize costs paid by the customer and to maximizethe benefit received for that cost. The business wants to maximizeprofit, which includes minimizing costs. Providing additional benefitsto a customer, however, generally increases the cost to the business.Minimizing costs paid by the customer lowers the businesses profits.Ideally, the business desires to provide something of perceived customervalue, which has a minimal cost to the business. This would cause thatbusiness's services/goods to be preferred over those of a competitorwithout increasing the cost to the business. Loyalty programs are avehicle used by many businesses to achieve these ends. Airlines, forexample, have excess capacity (empty seats) in many of their flightssome of which are premium seating. It costs the airlines nothingadditional (or negligibly different) to place a person in an otherwiseunused seat. Airlines, however, do not want otherwise paying customersto fill the “vacant seat” since this lowers the Airlines profits (anotherwise paying customer is converted to a non-paying one in such asituation and the airlines profit for that flight is decreased by thecost of one seat). Airline loyalty programs typically implement blackoutdates to match this business specific reality around times when expectedexcess capacity is low (so that loyalty points cannot be used for theseflights). Airlines increase the “pressure” on program members by havingpoints expire over time and/or by requiring moderately high thresholdsbefore points can be expended. Expiring points and usage thresholdsaccomplish multiple goals of the Airlines. The first is to encourageadditional usages of the program to earn sufficient points (before pointexpiration) to earn a customer desired reward. Additional usages (thatearns points) results in increased sales/profits for the airlines.Another goal is to restrict the usage data to “burn” points on flightsthat the consumer may not otherwise take. Without black-out usage datesand expiration restrictions a member would most likely “hold” points tospend them on a flight they would otherwise have to pay for. Theairlines prefer to permit an additional flight that would not otherwiseoccur (thus no profit is given up) using excess capacity (thusnegligible costs are incurred from the airline perspective). Yet anotheradvantage of setting expiration dates is breakage of points. Breakage ofpoints is an intentional feature of many loyalty programs. By breakage,a set of previously awarded loyalty points disappear if not redeemedwith a fixed time period. This is highly advantageous to loyalty programoperators since they provided a customer perceived benefit (points atthe time of use) without incurring a cost (zero cost for redemption ofthese points since they expired). So between breakage and point pressurea statistical cost of providing points as a customer incentive issignificantly decreased (the airline incurs no or minimal cost for youtaking an extra “trip” in an otherwise unused seat and incurs no costfor points that expire). Airlines balance the costs of administrating aloyalty program plus the costs of implementing the program (redemptioncosts) against the benefits (additional profit through customer behaviorshaping) received from the program. Restrictions and conditions imposedon a program, membership requirements, restrictions on fungibility ofpoints, the non-negotiable nature of loyalty points, and other factorsare all intentionally balanced in context of a specific business whenimplementing a viable loyalty program.

Stated differently, many “advantages” from a consumer standpoint aredisadvantages from a program operator standpoint—by design. For example,as noted above expiration dates on points provide for breakage and pointpressure—which are advantageous from a program operator perspective, butare not preferred by customers. Stating that it would be advantageous toremove these intentionally imposed restrictions since customers would behappier is true from a customer perspective, but not true from a loyaltyoperator one. One of ordinary skill implementing loyalty points wouldnot disregard an intentionally imposed feature (expiration date, whichresults in lock in and point pressure to decrease operator costs) inabsence of a benefit greater than the additional costs incurred byremoving these restrictions. In other words, simple statements like “oneof ordinary skill would modify an airline program to remove restrictionsbecause customers would like this” are demonstrably false statements ofmotivation, in that such a statement ignores fundamental andintentionally implemented features of a loyalty program. If black-outdates were not an advantage to the loyalty operator—they would not beimplemented in the first place. The loyalty program operator knows thatthe blackout dates are not preferred by customers, nor are expirationdates on points. This is part of the tension between customers andloyalty program operators, which is an essential feature to successfultraditional loyalty programs. In traditional loyalty programs withintentional features as detailed above, the non-negotiable nature ofloyalty points is critical. Loyalty points of many programs areintentionally not transferrable between members or across programboundaries, since transferring points in such a manner can circumventrestrictions and conditions (like expiration dates). A customer maydesire to avoid these imposed restrictions (which help shape thecustomer behavior in a manner intended by the program operator whilelowering program costs), but one of ordinary skill in loyalty programsknowing and understanding the essential purpose of the restrictions andthe resulting requirements of non-negotiability and strong programboundaries would not find such a change obvious. Such statements areanalogous to a statement that blocking a fuel line of an automobile isadvantageous as it will decrease fuel consumption of that vehicle andprovide environmental benefits from burning less fuel. Strictlyspeaking, the above statement is true, but the purpose of an automobileis to permit travel and the modification (blocking fuel) cases thereference to be unsuitable for its intended purpose. One cannot take the“fuel conserving” benefits of blocking a fuel line and combine them withthe transportation benefits of an automobile—as these two features arein tension with each other. Similarly, one cannot remove or modifyessential features of a loyalty program (relied upon to allow thereferences to operate as intended) and change them to add another (butconflicting) feature that is in tension with the first teaching. This isattempted (improperly) throughout the petition, as will be explainedherein, and is improper. One of ordinary skill recognizes thatnon-negotiability of points is an essential feature of many loyaltyprograms, which is linked to restrictions and conditions. You cannotremove or change these essential features without changing the natureand operating principles of the underlying loyalty program.

Two different types of loyalty programs include sole source programs andnetworked programs. Sole source programs are operated and run by asingle business and by default have strong program boundaries. Networkedprograms have many different participant business (analogous to astorefront being a mall verses a single merchant store) who give thesame points which are generally redeemable to any member of the network.Sole source programs are generally non-fungible, non-negotiable, andhave strong program boundaries, as detailed above. Networked programsgenerally have fungible points with minimal restrictions andnon-existent or weak boundaries at least between network participants.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations foraspects of the present invention may be written in any combination ofone or more programming languages, including an object orientedprogramming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The program codemay execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user'scomputer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user'scomputer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remotecomputer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may beconnected to the user's computer through any type of network, includinga local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or theconnection may be made to an external computer (for example, through theInternet using an Internet Service Provider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system 100 in which non-negotiable funds 136earned from consumer incentive activities 122 are converted intonegotiable funds and/or entity independent funds 138 in accordance withan embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. In oneembodiment, multiple interactions 130 can occur between a person 110 anda credit providing entity 120, in which the person 110 participates inconsumer incentive activities 122. During each interaction 130, anaction or behavior 132 can be taken. With each successful completion ofthe consumer incentive activity 122, person 110 can receive credits 134in the form of non-negotiable funds 136. In one interaction 130, action132 can be a wager of a game of chance. In this instance, with eachnon-successful outcome of the game of chance, the person 110 can losetheir wager 132.

Other actions 132 for earning credits 134 through interactions 130 witha credit providing entity 120 are contemplated. Such actions can, forexample, result in the person 110 earning participation credits,achievement credits, sponsored initiative credits, social networkingcredits, or even advanced credits in a loan. All of these credits can beearned for a targeted purpose or goal set by the user him or herself oranother entity such as a government or corporate entity (e.g., as asponsored initiative such as a green initiative or a market promotion).

As mentioned, the types of credits 134 are non-negotiable funds 136.These funds 136 (e.g., credits 134) may not be redeemable on an openmarket. For example, vender 126 will not accept 118 the credits 134 forcommercial transactions 114. A conversion agency 124, which is notdirectly associated 116 with the credit providing entity 120 can convertthe non-negotiable funds 136 (which can be a quantity of credits 134)into negotiable funds and/or entity independent funds 138. Thisconversion can occur in response to a request 112 by person 110.

Person 110 can conduct a commercial transaction 114 with vender 126.During the transaction 114, the person 110 can specify a user-selectedset of requests 115 for goods and/or services 117 of the vender 126. Thegoods and/or services 117 can cost a quantity of negotiable funds and/orentity independent funds 138, which are provided to the vender 126. Inone embodiment, the negotiable funds and/or entity independent funds 138can be provided directly to the vender 126 by the conversion agency 124.In another, the negotiable funds and/or entity independent funds 138 canbe provided by the conversion agency 124 to person 110, who providesthese funds 138 to the vender 126.

Numerous embodiments exist for conducting the conversions as describedherein, a few of which are shown as embodiments 150, 160, and 170.Embodiment 150 shows an online embodiment, where a person 110 caninteract (130) with a credit providing entity site 156 to participate ina consumer incentive activity 122. The commercial transactions 114 canbe conducted via an e-commerce Web site 157. Additionally, theconversion agency 124 can implement a software based conversion service158, which performs the conversion of the non-negotiable funds 136 intothe negotiable funds and/or entity independent funds 138. The Web sites156, 157 and service 158 can run within one or more servers 154. Theseservers 154 can be connected to a client 152 via a network 153, wherethe client 152 is a computing device that user 110 interacts (130 and/or114) with.

In one configuration of embodiment 150, the conversion service 158 canbe linked to a payment option present in the E-commerce Web site 157,which operates in a manner similar to PAYPAL, GOOGLE CHECKOUT, and thelike. That is, a payment option can be presented that permitsgoods/services of vender 126 to be purchased using (at least in part)funds 138 converted from credits 134, which were earned from theconsumer incentive activities 122.

Embodiment 160 shows a portable artifact embodiment, where a person 110stores entertainment credits 134 from the game of chance 122 upon aportable artifact 162, which can be a physical card with a magneticstrip, a RFID storage device, a flash memory card, or other tangibleartifact able to store digitally encoded (or even analog encoded) data.Machines 164 upon which consumer incentive activities 122 are performedor recorded can include a reader/writer able to alter content stored onthe portable artifact 162. Thus, actions 132 outcomes in credits 134value can be recorded on the artifact 162. The person 110 can thereaftershop at a storefront of vender 126 and present a cashier 164 with theartifact 162. A cash register 165 used by the cashier 164 can beconnected to a network 166. The conversion agency 124 can have a networkelement 168 connected to the network 166, which converts non-negotiablefunds 136 on the artifact 162 into a quantity of negotiable funds and/orentity independent funds 138 needed to complete the commercialtransaction 114 conducted via the register 165 and cashier 164. From theperspective of the vender 126, the transaction 114 conducted via theregister 165 is a “standard” transaction that results in the vender 126receiving suitable negotiable funds and/or entity independent funds 138for providing the goods/services 117 to person 110.

Embodiment 170 shows an account transfer embodiment 170, where a person110 participates in a consumer incentive activity 122 (e.g., in thisinstance a game of chance 172). Earnings (134, 136) from the consumerincentive activity 122 are recorded within a tangible data store 174associated with the credit providing entity 120. This data store 174 caninclude an account 175 for the person 110, which tracks an amount ofcredits 134, which are non-negotiable funds 136, of the person 110.Conversion agency 124 can directly access the account 175 of data store174 and can convert a quantity of credits 134 into negotiable fundsand/or entity independent funds 138, which are recorded in a tangibledata store 176 that is not directly associated with entity 120. The datastore 176 can include an account 177 for the person 110, which containsan amount of negotiable funds and/or entity independent funds 138, ofthe person 110. A person 110 can conduct commercial transactions 114 viaa machine 179, such as a kiosk, an ATM machine, etc., which involvefunds of account 177 changing. In one embodiment, the goods/services 117received from person 110 in embodiment 170 can include cash (such asfrom an ATM machine). This cash can be an amount of cash-back receivedduring transaction 114, can be the transaction 114 itself and mayinvolve a transaction fee, which is extracted from account 177 bymachine 179.

The embodiments 150-170 are for illustrative purposes only and are notintended to be (or to be construed as being) exhaustive orcomprehensive. For example, any combinations of the embodiments 150,160, 170 are to be considered within scope of the disclosure. Thus, aconsumer incentive activity 122 can be conducted via a Web site 156 (perembodiment 150), where a commercial transaction 114 using the convertedentertainment credits 134 per agency 124 can be conducted at astorefront, where a cashier 164 interacts (130) with person 110. Inanother contemplated configuration, the consumer incentive activity 122can be conducted with a machine 172 that places credits 134 in account175 (per embodiment 170), which are converted and used to buygoods/services 117 via an e-commerce Web site 157 (per embodiment 150).In another contemplated configuration, credits can be earned via machine164 and placed on artifact 162 (per embodiment 160), which can be placedin a machine 179, such as an ATM (per embodiment 170) to extract funds138, which are converted (by agency 124) from the credits 134 stored onartifact 162.

In one embodiment, the conversion agency 124 can be compensated (e.g.,charge a processing fee) for converting the non-negotiable funds 136 tonegotiable funds and/or entity independent funds 138. This fee can bepaid to conversion agency 124 by the game providing entity 120, theperson 110, and/or by the vender 126.

As used herein, consumer incentive activities 122 can be in the form ofgames, contests, or can occur based on certain consumer behavior,actions or purchases. A game can be structured playing, usuallyundertaken for enjoyment and sometimes used as an educational tool. Acontest can be an event in which at least two teams or individualscompete. There may be an award to a winner or awards for multiple topperformers, but a contest may be imposed for training. A contest mayoccur naturally, or be planned by the participants, rather thanorganized by another party.

Games are distinct from work, which is usually carried out forremuneration, and from art, which is more often an expression ofaesthetic or ideological elements. However, the distinction is notclear-cut, and many games are also considered to be work (such asprofessional players of spectator sports/games) or art (such as jigsawpuzzles or games involving an artistic layout such as Mahjong,solitaire, or some video games). Key components of games can be goals,rules, challenge, and interaction. Games can generally involve mental orphysical stimulation, and often both. Many games help develop practicalskills, serve as a form of exercise, or otherwise perform aneducational, simulational, or psychological role.

Credit providing entities 120 include any entity providing a consumerwith credits based on user behavior, actions, achievements, and thelike. Credit providing entities 120 can include corporations such asairlines, hotels, credit card companies, casinos, cruise ships, States(for lottery, scratch off games, etc.), churches, race tracks, onlinegambling site providers, e-commerce sites, slot-machine houses,carnivals, gambling parlors, companies (for promotional sweepstakes),High Schools (for raffles), and the like.

The action 132 can, in one embodiment, risk money, previously earnedcredits 134 or something of material value on an event with an uncertainoutcome with intent on winning additional money, credits 134, and/ormaterial goods/services. An amount of credits 134 earned from aninteraction 130 with a credit providing entity 120 can vary in directproportion to the user action, behavior, achievement, or the like.

Credits 134 are non-negotiable funds 136 that generally have no valueoutside of an environment (building, Web site, etc.) of the creditproviding entity 120. For example, casinos (one embodiment of entity120) generally utilize casino tokens, chips, or plaques to represent aquantity of entertainment credits 134. Online gambling sites 156 (andelectronic gambling devices) often provide an account to a person 110,where entertainment credits 134 are managed within this account in acomputer readable storage medium. In another example, hotel and carrental entities oftentimes afford customers loyalty points that can beredeemed only in future transactions with the hotel or car rental entityitself for certain upgrades or discounts (a form of credits 134). In yetanother example, a grocery store may offer consumers a store card toreceive special group member discounts to be applied at checkout andadditional points for purchases made at the store; for instance, everydollar spent can earn the consumer a point and once the consumerachieves 100 credits in a month timeframe the credits can translate intoa 10 cent discount per gallon of gas purchased at a participating gasstation.

Use of credits 134, such as casino tokens, rewards points or discounts,can be more convenient than use of negotiable funds and/or entityindependent funds 138 for many reasons. For example, use ofentertainment credits 134 makes theft and counterfeiting more difficult.Entertainment credits (which when having a physical representation areoften a uniform size and weight) can be relatively easy to stack, count,etc. Additionally, studies have proven people (110) engage inconsumption more freely (e.g., play games of chance with larger wagersand with greater frequency, or more readily purchase goods andservices), when credits 134 are used or applied to the purchase,behavior, or activity, rather cash or other negotiable funds and/orentity independent funds.

Additionally, use of credits 134, can have legal benefits that canpermit entities 120 to conduct games of chance 122, which would beprohibited if negotiable funds and/or entity independent funds 138 wereutilized instead of entertainment credits 134. That is, numerous legalstatutes and regulations exist that are more restrictive when consumerincentive activity earnings are in a form of negotiable funds and/orentity independent funds 138. For example, in the instance that consumerincentive activity 122 is gambling, the Unlawful Internet GamblingEnforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 prohibits many online gamblingactivities with negotiable funds and/or entity independent funds 138,which are permitted with certain forms of non-negotiable funds 136. Forexample, electronic fund transfers via credit cards or debit cardsrelated to gambling winnings are generally prohibited by US banks.Similarly, wire transfers of negotiable funds and/or entity independentfunds 138 earned through gambling are legally prohibited in manyinstances. Many of these acts explicitly prohibit the transfer ofnegotiable funds from gambling earnings across state lines

Non-negotiable funds 136 can include any of a variety of financialinstruments that are not legal currency and not governed under article 3of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). For example, non-negotiable funds136 can include IOUs issued by the credit providing entity 120. In oneembodiment, non-negotiable funds 136 can include secured transactions,which take a security interest on collateral owned by the creditproviding entity's 120 assets, which are subject to Article 9 of theUCC. In one embodiment, the non-negotiable funds 136 can include lettersof credit, issued by the credit providing entity 120.

Negotiable funds 138 comprise a set of negotiable instruments, which area specialized type of “contract” for the payment of money that isunconditional and capable of transfer by negotiation. As payment ofmoney is promised later, the instrument itself can be used by the holderin due course frequently as money. Common examples include checks,banknotes (paper money), and commercial paper. Thus, negotiable funds138 include currency, and instruments covered by Article 3 and 4 of theUniform Commercial Code. For a writing to be a negotiable instrumentunder Article 3,[1] the following requirements must be met: 1) Thepromise or order to pay must be unconditional; 2) The payment must be aspecific sum of money, although interest may be added to the sum; 3) Thepayment must be made on demand or at a definite time; 4) The instrumentmust not require the person promising payment to perform any act otherthan paying the money specified; 5) The instrument must be payable tobearer or to order. Additionally, negotiable funds include commercialpaper, letters of credit (governed by Article 5 of the UCC), Bills oflading (governed by Article 7 of the UCC), securities (governed underArticle 8 of the UCC), and deeds and other documents. One importantconsideration for many negotiable instruments (funds 138) is that theyare payable to a bearer on demand.

Entity independent funds 138 can include any funds that are independentof an entity providing the non-negotiable funds 136. For example, theentity independent funds 138 can represent reward points from a companyA, where the non-negotiable funds 136 are reward points from a differentcompany B. Additionally, the entity independent funds 138 can representan in-game or in-marketplace currency (where the non-negotiable funds136 are not able to be used for direct purchases in-game orin-marketplace).

The commercial transaction 114 can be one in which wherein the quantityof negotiable funds and/or entity independent funds 138 are applied touser (110) specified (via request 115, for example) purchase of a goodor service 117. Stated differently, a commercial transaction can be aneconomic transaction where person 110 receives a good or a service fromvender 126 for value. Commercial transactions 114 can include a salegoods (117) from a storefront, a Web site, a catalog (mail order), overthe phone, and the like. Transaction 114 can also include a payment fora service requested by person 110. Payment of the negotiable fundsand/or entity independent funds 138 during the commercial transaction114 can occur before, after, or concurrent with the receipt (orshipping) of the goods or service 117. A contract (including specificsestablished by the parties (110 and 126) as well as legal defaultsprovided by the UCC or applicable common law/state law) between thevender 126 and person 110 established as part of the commercialtransaction 114 can determine when payment (funds 138) for thegoods/services 117 is due. In one embodiment, commercial transaction 114can include transaction where currency is provided to person 110 by avender 126 (a bank as part of an ATM transaction, for example) for afee. This currency can be provided as a loan or as a withdrawal from anaccount of person 110, where the account includes the negotiable fundsand/or entity independent funds 138.

The conversion agency 124 can be a legal entity that convertsnon-negotiable funds 136 (including credits 134) into negotiable fundsand/or entity independent funds 138. The conversion agency 124 can lacka direct association 116 with the credit providing entity 120. In oneembodiment, no legal relationship of enablement of corporate identity(no parent, subsidiary, etc.) relationship can exist between theconversion agency 124 and entity 120. No fiduciary duties undercorporate law can exist between agency 124 and game providing entity120. In one embodiment, agency 124 can be geographically located outsideproperty owned or leased by the game providing entity 120. In another,it can lease space and provide its services from entity 120 owned/leasedland. In one embodiment, the conversion agency 124 can support multipledifferent credit providing entities 120, which can be competitors ofeach other.

In one embodiment, the conversion agency 124 is not a bank or similarfinancial institution (and may therefore be outside the guidelinesestablished by UIGEA and other statues and regulations, which imposerestrictions on banks). In one embodiment, the conversion agency 124 maybe located in the same jurisdiction as the credit providing entity(possibly to avoid legal entanglements/restrictions with operating inmultiple or across jurisdictional boundaries) or may be located in ajurisdiction with favorable rules for performing the fund conversions.

In one embodiment, the conversion agency can be tasked with establishingand maintaining a conversion ratio 125. In another embodiment, it shouldbe noted that the credit providing entity 120 can also predetermine aconversion ratio 125 for credits 134 that will govern the conversion ofnon-negotiable credits 136 to negotiable funds and/or entity independentfunds 138. In either embodiment, the conversion agency 124 will utilizeconversion rate 125 in calculations associated with convertingnon-negotiable funds 136 to negotiable funds and/or entity independentfunds 138. The conversion ratio 125 can, in one embodiment act like aconventional exchange rate in that it defines the rate at which onecurrency (the credits 134) will be exchanged for another (negotiablefunds and/or entity independent funds 138). It can also be regarded asthe value of one market's currency (credit market) in terms of anothercurrency (real-world negotiable funds market).

In the retail currency exchange market, a different buying rate andselling rate can usually be quoted by money dealers. As referred toherein, the buying rate is the rate at which conversion agencies acceptnon-negotiable funds 136 for conversion to negotiable funds, and theselling rate can be the rate at which conversion agency 124 or othersuch entity as well as credit providing entities 120 can advance creditsto person 110 for future actions 132. The quoted rates can incorporatean allowance for a conversion agency's margin (or profit) in trading, orelse the margin may be recovered in the form of a “commission” or insome other way.

It should be noted that different rates 125 may also be quoted fordifferent types of non-negotiable funds (e.g., casino chips, loyaltyrewards point, and the like). In one embodiment, conversion ratio 125can be a market based exchange rate and thus can change whenever thevalues of either of the two component currencies change. The market fornon-negotiable funds 136 to negotiable funds and/or entity independentfunds 138 exchange can be influenced by times of year and specialoccasions (such as Christmas, the New Year celebrations, Valentine'sDay, high travel season, and the like) to affect conversions of certaintypes of credits 134 based non-negotiable funds 136 to negotiable fundsand/or entity independent funds 138. In another embodiment, theconversion ratio 125 can be a fixed exchange rate, also known as apegged exchange rate, which is a type of exchange rate regime wherein acurrency's value is matched to the value of another single currency. Theconversion ratio 125 in this instance does not fluctuate but isconsistent and steady.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method 200 for the Web based granting andconversion of non-negotiable credits to negotiable funds and/or entityindependent funds in accordance with an embodiment of the inventivearrangements disclosed herein. Method 200 can in one embodiment comprisesteps 202 to 245. However, the following description of one embodimentof method 200 is not intended to be construed as limiting as other oradditional steps for an entity granting a consumer entertainment creditsand presenting indicia leading to credit redemption are contemplated.

Method 200 can begin in step 202, where the credit providing entity canreward a customer with entertainment credits for actions or behavior (orpromised future actions or behavior) undertaken by the customer inresponse to a credit earning opportunity. In step 205, the creditproviding entity can present a customer with indicia for redemptionoptions for the customer earned entertainment credits. Indicia can be inthe form of banners, radio buttons, pop-up windows, embedded links,audio and or video notification, QR or bar codes, flyers, and the like.

Upon user selection of the indicia advertised redemption option(s), thecredit providing entity can in step 210 direct the customer to one ormore rewards entities (e.g., a rewards web site) for credit redemption.In step 215, the rewards Web site utilizes user credentials provided by,for example, the credit providing entity of the customer or the customerhim or herself to access the consumer's account information anddetermine the amount of non-negotiable credits in the consumer'saccount. The consumer optionally selects to supplement his or heravailable credits by engaging in a credit advance and elects to redeemsome quantity of non-negotiable credits in step 220. If supported by therewards Web site, the consumer can additionally select the form ofnegotiable funds and/or entity independent funds to convert thenon-negotiable credits.

In step 225, a ratio is determined for the conversion of thenon-negotiable credits to the selected type of negotiable funds and/orentity independent funds. This ratio can be determined by any of avariety of means including, but not limited to, an algorithm internal tothe rewards Web site, an algorithm contained in a system that is remoteand/or independent of the rewards Web site, and the like. An electroniccommerce transaction is initiated in step 230 to establish the convertedamount of negotiable funds and/or entity independent funds in a useraccount. The quantity of converted non-negotiable credits is subtractedfrom the user's account in step 235. In step 240, the rewards Web sitepresents the consumer with an access means for the negotiable fundsand/or entity independent funds. Lastly, the consumer terminates thesession by logging off the rewards Web site in step 245.

FIG. 3 is a depiction 300 of successive GUIs that illustrate a web basedcredit granting event with credit redemption indicia and subsequentconversion of non-negotiable funds into negotiable funds and/or entityindependent funds in accordance with an embodiment of the inventivearrangements disclosed herein.

GUI 302 shows an interface from a gambling Web site. A quantity ofentertainment credits are earned on this site, which can be laterconverted by a conversion agency for use in buying/selling items from avender, who does not accept the entertainment credits. The gambling Website or credit providing entity website can include options to “playagain” (i.e., repeat the credit earning behavior to potentially earnadditional non-negotiable entertainment credits) and an indicia 305 forcredit redemption opportunities. The indicia can be presented to acustomer via a variety of means including but not limited to banners,radio buttons, pop-up windows, embedded links, audio and or videonotification, QR or bar codes, flyers, and the like.

GUI 310 can be a checkout window from an e-commerce site. GUI 310includes payment button 315, which represents a payment option thatincludes the conversion of non-negotiable credits to purchase the itemsin the shopping cart. Selection of payment button 315 by a user canproduce GUI 320.

GUI 320 can be a display window from a conversion agency. GUI 320includes display box 322 and buttons 325, 327. GUI 320 can be renderedby any of a variety of means including, but not limited to, a Webbrowser, a JAVA applet, a PERL script, and the like. In one embodiment,GUI 320 can be contained within the e-commerce site. GUI 320 can displaythe balance of non-negotiable, entertainment credits earned from one ormore game providing entities. GUI 320 contains a means by which the userselects the type of non-negotiable credits to convert including, but notlimited to, a set of radio buttons, a set of checkboxes, a highlightingmechanism, and the like. Display box 322 can display the monetary valueof the selected non-negotiable credits. The value displayed in displaybox 322 can be based on preset conversion factors.

Button 325 can represent the initiation of the process by which theselected non-negotiable credits are converted to negotiable funds and/orentity independent funds. Button 327 can allow a user to purchaseadditional entertainment credits at predetermined exchange rates orengage in a credit advance when the option is available to the customer.For example, a credit account holder may wish to engage in a loan policyfor credits in exchange for a guarantee of future acts or behavior thatwould earn him or her non-negotiable credits. The credit loan is apolicy that can take advantage of a credit account holder's lack ofimpulse control in regards to purchasing behavior by allowing a user toimmediately purchase a desired good or purchase but delay payment untila later time. In another embodiment, the credit advance or loan can bean immediate purchase of non-negotiable credits with negotiable funds tosupplement earned entertainment credits. Selection of button 325 by auser can produce GUI 330.

GUI 330 can be a display window from a conversion agency. GUI 330includes yes button 332 and cancel button 333. GUI 330 can be renderedby any of a variety of means including, but not limited to, a Webbrowser, a JAVA applet, a PERL script, and the like. In one embodiment,GUI 330 can be contained within the e-commerce site. GUI 330 can displaya summary message of the transaction initiated by GUI 320. GUI 330 caninclude a means to continue the transaction, yes button 332, and a meansto cancel the transaction, cancel button 333. Selection of cancel button333 by a user cancels the transaction and can return the user to GUI320. Selection of yes button 332 by a user completes the transactioninitiated in GUI 320 and can produce GUI 340.

GUI 340 can be a display window from the same said e-commerce site. GUI340 can contain a message acknowledging the successful conversion of theuser's non-negotiable credits into negotiable funds and/or entityindependent funds for the purchase of the items in the shopping cart.

FIG. 4 is a depiction 400 of a scenario 450 and a set of GUIs 410, 430for granting entertainment credits and presenting indicia for conversionopportunities of the non-negotiable funds earned by a consumer throughinteractions with the credit granting entity into negotiable fundsand/or entity independent funds in accordance with an embodiment of theinventive arrangements disclosed herein.

Customer financial account 410 can include a user prompt 412 that canpresent the customer with his or her summary information, a user accountoverview 414, buttons for typical options such as pay balance 416 andrequest increased limit 418, credit indicator 422, and accountnavigation options 424. User account overview 414 can present thecustomer with one or more financial account types for the customer. Eachaccount can be eligible for loyalty point accrual through a variety ofoptions.

For example, user account type one could be eligible for a fixed 5points per transaction credit reward and card two could allow varyinglevels of point accrual for different types of transactions (e.g., fivepoint per dollar spent for automotive expenses, 3 points per dollarspent for travel and restaurants, and 1 point per dollar for all otherpurchases). Credit indicator 422 can provide the customer with a visualdisplay of the number of loyalty points he or she has accrued to dateand selecting the point specific account navigation option 424 canlaunch customer credit account GUI 430.

Customer credit account 430 GUI can include summary 432, redemptionoptions 434, buttons for navigation such as a button to return to recentactivity 436 (for example, GUI 410), and credit account specificnavigation options 444, including an option to convert credits 446 toother payment artifacts (for example, transferring converted funds to acustomer's PAYPAL account, or an entity specific gift card). Summary 432can present the customer with an overview of the total balance of pointsearned to date (which can be visually seen via indicator 422.

Redemption option indicator 434 can present the customer with aselection of or all available options for spending his or her accruedloyalty points. Such options can include, but are not limited to,shopping at an exclusive discount designer boutique, an online mall,booking a flight with points, gifting points to another individual ordonating points to an organization or cause, initiating a cash-backrequest based on a specified conversion ratio, paying a membership orsubscription fee with points, and the like. It should be understood thateach of these redemption options can be subject to a differingconversion rate set by either the conversion agency 124 or creditgranting entity 120.

Scenario 550 depicts one viable scenario for a non-negotiable credits tonegotiable funds and/or entity independent funds purchase which caninclude interactions between a user 110, credit providing entity 120,conversion agency 124 and vender 126. It should be noted that theseparate entities are not affiliated with one another and can beseparate legal entities. User 110 can engage in a consumer incentiveactivity 132 provided by credit providing entity 120 which in turnprovides user 110 with credits 134 as a reward for engaging in thesponsored activity. The non-negotiable credits 134 can be passed ontothe conversion agency 124 upon a user request or a user initiation of apurchase with credits.

In one embodiment conversion agency 124 can be compensated for theirservices by the credit providing entity through compensation payment552. In another embodiment, conversion agency 124 can build incompensation for their services through a processing or handling feepassed onto the user 110. Conversion agency 124 can then provide theuser with access to negotiable funds 138 to be utilized in the userinitiated transaction with vender 126. Vender 126, upon receipt ofpayment 138, can provide the user 110 with his or her desired good orservice purchased.

FIG. 5 is a depiction 500 of a scenario 550 and a set of GUIs 510, 530for granting entertainment credits and directing a consumer toconversion opportunities of the non-negotiable funds earned by theconsumer through a game of chance with the credit granting entity intonegotiable funds and/or entity independent funds in accordance with anembodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

Computer game 510 (accessed, for example, through a social networkingsite, online multiplayer games, etc.) can allow a user to accrue pointsor non-negotiable credits through a variety of options such as reachingcertain levels, obtaining certain statuses, succeeding in a variety ofuser collaboration scenarios, and the like. When a user is awardedpoints a credit award notice 515 can inform the user that he or she hassuccessfully completed a challenge or milestone and has been rewarded anumber of entertainment credits. Credit award notice can include buttonsfor returning to the game 517 and continue accruing points and redeemingpoints 519. Should a user elect to redeem his or her points immediately,e-wards account GUI 530 can be launched.

E-wards account GUI 530 (e.g., redemption marketplace) can indicate atotal user point balance, redemption options 532, and a browsinginterface for selection 534, as well as include buttons to select 536 anoption, and a back 538 button. Redemption options 532 can include, butare not limited to, game downloads and game items, memberships andsubscriptions, trailers and previews, movies and TV show downloads,redeeming prepaid cards or promotional codes and viewing a user downloador redemption history. Game downloads and game items can include a newgame, special levels opening up upon a user reaching a certain level orcompleting a certain action in a game, an option to purchase upgrades touser equipment or game achievements, and the like. Memberships andsubscriptions can include gym memberships, magazine or newspapersubscriptions, and the like. Other options and components for creditredemption are contemplated.

Non-negotiable credits to negotiable funds and/or entity independentfunds purchase scenario 650 can include interactions between a user 110,credit providing entity 120, conversion agency 124, and vender 126. User110 can engage in game of chance 132 with credit providing entity 120 inexchange for non-negotiable credits 134. Non-negotiable credits 134 canthen be passed on to conversion agency 124 for conversion to negotiablefunds and/or entity independent funds when requested by user 110 and canbe returned to credit providing entity 120 for holding in a user accountto be utilized on behalf of user 110 when requested.

Upon user 110 initiating a purchase with vender 126 through a request115, credit providing entity 120 can provide vender 126 with negotiablefunds and/or entity independent funds 652 prompting vender 126 toprovide user 110 with goods or services 117 (for example, a videodownload or streaming rental). In this instance, vender 126 does notaccept non-negotiable credits 134 as payment and negotiable funds and/orentity independent funds 652 are provided seamlessly so vender 126 isnot aware of user 110 having paid in earned non-negotiable credits 134.

FIG. 6 is a depiction 600 of a scenario 650 and a set of GUIs 610, 630for granting entertainment credits and directing conversionopportunities of the non-negotiable funds earned by a consumer through agambling activity with the credit granting entity into negotiable fundsand/or entity independent funds in accordance with an embodiment of theinventive arrangements disclosed herein.

Gambling website 610 can provide an online gambling opportunity 612 forcustomers where customers can earn points or non-negotiable credits inexchange for wining a gambling game. The number of credits earned candepend on the specific wager or odds or be fixed to a set amount perplay. Upon successful completion (i.e., a win) of gambling game 612,gambling website 610 can present the customer with notice 614 informingthe customer of the number of credits he or she has won. In addition,gambling website 610 can present the user with an indicia button 616 toredeem points or an option to play again 618.

User selection of the redeem points button 616 can launch creditredemption options 630 GUI. Credit redemption GUI 630 can present acustomer with his or her total credit balance 632 as well as creditredemption options 634. Redemption options 634 in this instance caninclude options to play more games with credit wagers, order roomservice in a casino hotel room when available, order in roomentertainment such as movies or TV shows or even purchasing tickets toevents, shopping for merchandise or initiating cash-out to a credit cardor other payment artifact. An option to cancel and return to the game isalso included.

Non-negotiable credits to negotiable funds and/or entity independentfunds purchase scenario 550 can include interactions between user 110,credit providing entity 120, conversion agency 124 and vender 126. Inthis embodiment's scenario, user 110 can play a gambling game 132 hostedby credit providing entity 120, which in turn can reward user 110 withnon-negotiable credits 134 for participating in the gambling game.Non-negotiable credits 134 can be passed on to conversion agency 124 forconversion to non-negotiable funds 138 upon user initiation 115 of atransaction with vender 126. The conversion agency 124 can then uponconversion of non-negotiable credits 134 to negotiable funds and/orentity independent funds 138 pass on the negotiable funds and/or entityindependent funds 138 to vender 126 as payment for the user requestedgoods/services 117. The vender can be unaware the funds are beingtransferred through the conversion agency 124 and thus from the vender'sperspective the transaction is a regular transaction.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of system 700 for convertingnon-negotiable credits associated with a credit providing entity tonegotiable funds and/or entity independent funds in accordance with anembodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. System 700can represent a specific embodiment of system 100.

In system 700, consumer 705 can interact with a game of chance server718, such as through a Web site 156 that server 718 provides.Interactions can occur via a browser 712, rich internet interface, orother software executing upon client 710. Consumer 705 can purchasegoods/services from an e-commerce Web site 157 provided by e-commerceserver 720. These goods/services can be purchased using negotiable fundsand/or entity independent funds that a conversion agency server 730provides. The conversion agency server 730 can convert entertainmentcredits resulting from earnings of a game of chance (non-negotiablefunds) into the negotiable funds and/or entity independent funds.

Client 710 can be any of a variety of devices including, but not limitedto, a personal computer, a kiosk, a telephone, a personal data assistant(PDA), a mobile phone, and the like. Client 710 can include hardware,such as a processor, a memory, and a bus connecting them (as can server718, 720, 730, 740, and/or 750). The hardware can execute computerprogram products (software/firmware) that is stored in a non-transitorystorage medium. In one embodiment, client 710 can operate in astand-alone fashion. Alternatively, client 710 can be a device thatcooperatively participates in a network of distributed computingdevices. Network 715 can facilitate data exchanges over wireless as wellas line-based communication pathways and protocols.

In one embodiment, consumer 705 and conversion agency server 730 caninteract with associate server 750, e-commerce server 720, and/orfinancial institution server 740 via network 715. Conversion agencyserver 730 includes user account data store 735 in which consumer 705 isa member. Associate server 750 includes customer data store 755 in whichconsumer 705 is a member. Financial institution server 740 includesaccount data store 742. Account data store 742 includes conversionagency account 744 corresponding to conversion agency 730.

Consumer 705 can earn non-negotiable credits from games provided byserver 718. These earnings (non-negotiable credits) can be managed byassociate server 750. The quantity of these non-negotiable credits canbe saved in customer data store 755. Consumer 705 can use conversionagency server 730 to convert the non-negotiable credits from associateserver 750 into negotiable funds and/or entity independent fundsprovided to the e-commerce server 720 or financial institution 740. Inone embodiment, conversion agency 730 can maintain multiple accounts forthe consumer 705. These different accounts can be associated withdifferent game providing entities, and with different types ofnon-negotiable credits.

For example, consumer 705 can earn 500 credits from participating in anonline game hosted by server 718. Consumer 705 can choose to useconversion agency 730 to convert any or all of these credits to amonetary equivalent. Conversion agency 730 withdraws the necessaryamount from conversion agency account 744 contained within the accountdata store 742 of financial institution 740 and transfers it to anaccount specified by consumer 705. In another example, consumer 705 usesconversion agency 730 to complete a purchase at e-commerce server 720.Again, conversion agency 730 withdraws the necessary amount fromconversion agency account 744 contained within the account data store742 of financial institution 740 and transfers it to the account ofe-commerce server 720.

E-commerce server 720 can provide a Web site that supports onlinepurchases of goods or services. In one embodiment, e-commerce server 720can include a distinct payment option for conversion agency 730. Thisdistinct payment option could process the conversion of credits throughtheir Web site. Alternatively, the distinct payment option could launchan application to process the conversion of credit that is separate fromtheir Web site. In another embodiment, associate server 750 can act ase-commerce server 720. In one embodiment, e-commerce server 720 canprovide a software service (or can execute a software module) thatpermits the sale of goods or services, without necessarily providing aWeb site. Further, e-commerce server 720 can be directly replaced withback-end system of a storefront server, serving the same relativefunctions as described in system 700 of facilitating the sales ofgoods/services.

Financial institution server 740 can be any of a variety of entitiesincluding, but not limited to, a bank, a credit card company, aninvestment firm, and the like. In one embodiment, financial institutionserver 740 can reside in the same country as consumer 705 associateserver 750, and/or game of chance server 718. In another embodiment,financial institution server 740 can reside in a country other than thatof consumer 705 and/or associate server 750.

As shown herein, data stores 755, 735, 742, 176, 174, and the like canbe physically implemented within any type of hardware including, but notlimited to, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, adigitally encoded plastic memory, a holographic memory, or any otherrecording medium. Each of the data stores 755, 735, 742, 176, 174 can bestand-alone storage units as well as a storage unit formed from aplurality of physical devices, which may be remotely located from oneanother. Additionally, information can be stored within each data store755, 735, 742, 176, 174 in a variety of manners. For example,information can be stored within a database structure or can be storedwithin one or more files of a file storage system, where each file mayor may not be indexed for information searching purposes.

The network 715 can include any hardware/software/firmware necessary toconvey digital content encoded within carrier waves. Content can becontained within analog or digital signals and conveyed through data orvoice channels and can be conveyed over a personal area network (PAN), alocal area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN). The network 715can include local components and data pathways necessary forcommunications to be exchanged among computing device components andbetween integrated device components and peripheral devices. The network715 can also include network equipment, such as routers, data lines,hubs, and intermediary servers which together form a packet-basednetwork, such as the Internet or an intranet. The network 715 canfurther include circuit-based communication components and mobilecommunication components, such as telephony switches, modems, cellularcommunication towers, and the like. The network 715 can include linebased and/or wireless communication pathways.

One Embodiment of Disclosure Depicting Participation Credits forTargeted Goal

FIG. 8 is a depiction 800 of scenarios and a set of GUIs for convertingnon-negotiable credits earned through participation awards intonegotiable and/or entity-independent funds in accordance with anembodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. It should beunderstood that embodiments illustrated in FIG. 8 are not intended to belimiting and other embodiment for a user 810 to obtain participationcredits are contemplated. The embodiment discussed in FIG. 8 are forillustrative purposes to convey the act of earning credits through aparticipatory consumer incentive activity as made available by a creditproviding entity.

In game participation embodiment 820, user 810 can play a designatedcomputer or video game 822 such as Farmville, World of Warcraft, Eve,Civilization, and the like and perform actions 824 in the game 822 thatcan earn user 810 credits that are reflected in a credit meter 826.Actions 824 that can warrant credits 825, can be predetermined by acomputer game provider (i.e., credit providing entity). It should benoted that these computer game 822 earned credits 825 are for virtualworld actions and interactions. As such, a user 810 is not limited toreal world actions for earning credits. A virtual world is an onlinecommunity that can take the form of a computer-based simulatedenvironment through which users can interact with one another and useand create objects. Virtual worlds are not limited to games but,depending on the degree of immediacy presented, can encompass computerconferencing and text based chatrooms.

It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, when a user isparticipating in an RPGA game, and as a result of his or her virtualactions in the game environment receives virtual “gold” for an “IOU”,this transaction can also be considered to be a conversion fromnon-negotiable (the IOU) to negotiable and/or entity-independent funds(gold). Similarly, a sale of a magic sword (to be considered a credit ornon-negotiable fund) that is conducted with a payment of (and as such is“converted to” virtual gold can be considered a conversion transactionresulting in negotiable and/or entity-independent funds. As such,neither the credit (subsequent non-negotiable fund) nor the negotiablefund need be real world items. A conversion from a non-negotiable fundto a negotiable fund can occur fully in a virtual world environment.

Actions 824 that can warrant credits 825 can include actions that leadto specific level achievements, high scores, interacting with orcollaborating with other users in a certain manner should the game be amultiplayer game, and the like. Actions 824 that warrant credits 825can, in one embodiment, be unknown to a user 810 prior to achieving thecredit 825 award, encouraging users to continue participation in thegame for a possible future credit 825 award to increase their creditbalance as tracked by credit meter 826. In another embodiment, actions824 can be known and provider user 810 with a roadmap to follow to earncertain credits to reach his or her own goal of accrued credits 825. Inone embodiment, credit meter 826 can also include a notification of thecurrent or effective conversion ratio applying to the earned credits825.

In external advertisement placement 830, user 810 can host his or herown website 832. Part of this site 832 can be an advertisement 834 forexternal content or products. The advertisement can be for adjacentmarket goods to allow an adjacent market entity to take advantage ofadoption order as well as commonality of requirements or relationshipsdue to the fact that adjacent market segments share commoncharacteristics in application requirements and ecosystem, or community,relationships.

For example, the electric toothbrush market (part of the oral hygienemarket), can be adjacent to the market for dental services. As such,John Smith's Dentistry website 832 can include an external advertisementfor an electric toothbrush 834 or an airline website can enable visitorsto also view external advertisement offers from car rental companies ordestination city hotels. It should be noted that an externaladvertisement need not be for an adjacent market good or service. Uponeach consumer click 835 of the external ad posted to John Smith's site832, John Smith can receive credits as shown on his credit meter 836.The credit meter 836 can be a personal credit mater for John Smith or acredit meter for the Smith Dentistry business entity.

The credits per click 835 can be collected from the entity whose goodsand/or services are being advertised on John Smith's website 832.However, the credits can, in one embodiment, also be awarded to person810 by a third party non-affiliated entity that is engaged in businesswith the entity whose goods and services are being advertised. Such athird party entity can be situated in the marketplace to provide creditpayment services (in effect a type of conversion payment entity that canoptionally charge advertising entity a selling exchange rate for theconversion or a type of “commission” as mentioned previously).

E-wards Account GUI 840 illustrates one embodiment of a credit accountmanagement GUI. The GUI or control element of one's credit account canbe accessible from a dedicated site or be accessible from a plug in orlinkage within a game or e-commerce site, and the like. In oneembodiment, an e-wards GUI 840 can present the account holder withsummary information 842 that can be linked to a user selected goal 844purchase (users can thus be reminded of their end reward forparticipating in credit earning activities. Options to change a currentgoal 846, view similar options 848 to goal 844, and the like, can beinteractive options for e-wards account GUI 840.

Additionally, the GUI 840 can include a visual representation of auser's current credit meter 852 totaling a user's accrued credits fromvarious actions and behaviors (for example, credits accrued from gameparticipation 820 or external advertisement placement program 830. Inanother embodiment, the visual representation 852 can be incorporatedinto an e-commerce website letting a user know how many more credits heor she would have to accrue to purchase certain selected items. Accountmanagement options 854 can include a plethora of options, such as creditbalance check, an overview, detailed history, pending credits (both tobe received in the account as well as credits to be converted), anoption for a credit advance (further expounded upon in FIG. 6), and anoption to convert credits.

In one embodiment, a conversion from non-negotiable credits tonegotiable and/or entity-independent funds can include selecting toapply discounts and promotions such as rewards earned through loyalcustomer appreciation (e.g., free shipping from an e-commerce entity, acoupon for 80% off a future purchase, and the like). In anotherembodiment, the option 854 to convert credits can include a quickconversion form 856, wherein a user can designate an amount of creditsto be converted and placed on a user or account owner selected(pre-registered) gift card, store member card, payment account (such asPAYPAL), and the like. It should be noted that credit conversion can bedesignated to be transferred into a financial account (credit account,bank account, or other payment account) or negotiable and/orentity-independent funds instrument (such as a credit card, bank card,store card, or gift card) owned by another person. As such,non-negotiable credits can be transferred from one person to another inthe form of negotiable and/or entity-independent funds.

One Embodiment of Disclosure Depicting Achievement Credits for aTargeted Purpose

FIG. 9 is a depiction of a scenario and a set of GUIs for convertingnon-negotiable credits earned through personal achievements intonegotiable and/or entity-independent funds in accordance with anembodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. It should beunderstood that embodiments illustrated in FIG. 9 are not intended to belimiting and other embodiments for obtain achievement credits arecontemplated. The embodiment discussed in FIG. 9 are for illustrativepurposes to convey the act of earning credits through an achievementfocused consumer incentive activity as made available by a creditproviding entity.

In this instance, the concept of giving (and removing) credits is basedon an incentive structure present in human behavior (remunerative orfinancial incentive in this instance). As used herein, an incentive isany factor (financial or non-financial) that enables or motivates aparticular course of action, or counts as a reason for preferring onechoice to the alternatives. More specifically, it is an expectation thatencourages people to behave in a certain way.

User achievement embodiment 910 can be an example of one such incentiveutilizing embodiment for achieving credits to be converted to negotiableand/or entity-independent funds. In this specific embodiment, anincentive can be health targeted rewarding a user for his or her healthrelated achievements and can be sponsored by a specific entity (such as,for example, weight watchers and the like). It should be understood thatother embodiments are contemplated. In this specific user achievement910 embodiment, user actions 912 (such as swimming a certain number oflaps, running a given amount of time or burning a specific number ofcalories from running, etc.) can garner a user credits 914 in the formof non-negotiable credits.

Credits 914 can be tracked and available for use in purchases throughhealth credit redemption GUI 920. Health credit redemption GUI 920 canin one embodiment be maintained by the achievement credit sponsoringentity and credit conversion to negotiable and/or entity-independentfunds can be limited to purchase of health related goods. In anotherembodiment, GUI 920 as well as a user's credit balance can be maintainedby another entity and credits can be converted to negotiable and/orentity-independent funds without limitations on purchases. GUI 920 caninclude a credit meter 922, and a specific conversion ratio 924 notice.Additionally, GUI 920 can include a button to call upon credit details926, and a button for a user to enter his or her recent health activity928 to be converted to credits 914.

In one embodiment, entering health activity for credits can berestricted to a user's personal trainer or health representative toprevent abuse of credit garnering behavior by a user. In anotherembodiment, a record keeping device (such as an athletic watch or heartrate monitor, a lap counter, or a combination of such devices) can beutilized to download data into GUI 920 to maintain accurate records ofhealth activities and assign a correct number of credits 914 to a user'shealth credit redemption GUI 920 account and credit meter 922. Othermethods of entering health activity for credit conversion arecontemplated.

It should also be noted that other types of achievement creditembodiments are contemplated. Other embodiments need not be behaviorbased as they can, for example, be based on a financial threshold. Toillustrate, in one embodiment, a user can buy or rent a certain numberof DVDs and when he or she has reached a threshold for the number he orshe has spent negotiable and/or entity-independent funds on, be awardedwith a non-negotiable credit for a movie ticket at a theatre. Thatcredit can then be converted to a negotiable fund upon purchasing amovie ticket or reselling the voucher or credit to another person inexchange for negotiable and/or entity-independent funds.

GUI 920 can also include purchase options 929 at external sites(unaffiliated with the credit providing entity), as well as a list oftypes of options 932 (which can in one embodiment include direct links).Purchase options 929 can in one embodiment be based on a user's purchasehistory regarding achievement type which can also include purchasesacquired without credit conversion (such as a complete AMAZON accountpurchase history analysis, and the like).

Other achievement based embodiments 910 are contemplated. For example,another embodiment 910 can include programs set up through children'sschools or parents or a combination of the two, wherein certain grades,points, or extra credits can earn children for example a new Nintendocartridge linked to academic programs and educational content.Additional points gained from playing these educational games can leadto additional credits to be converted to negotiable and/orentity-independent funds to be used to purchase goods or services.

A reverse system to the one described in user achievement embodiment910, can be a user behavior embodiment 940. In this embodiment, a user905 can engage in the reverse of accruing credits. That means a user 905can lose credits based on bad behavior, which can function as negativefeedback in an effort to influence a user 905 behavior. The user 905can, in one embodiment, have options for making up for losing badcredits but can be limited to a ceiling of credits earned within a giventimeframe.

For example, as e-wards account 950 GUI demonstrates, a user can have astarting balance 954 (in this instance for a weekly “allowance” ofcredits, which can also be for a monthly balance, etc.), as well as acurrent credit balance 956 (which can reflect a user's credit balancebased on behavioral credit deductions and additions) as reflected bycredit meter 952. GUI 950 can also include a credit balance activities960 guide that can demonstrate a list of activities (positive as well asnegative) 962 to allow user 905 to properly gage his or her behavior andadjust it according to his credit meter 952 balance and desired outcomeof the weekly credit balance to be available for conversion tonegotiable and/or entity-independent funds at the end of the determinedtime period for the credit allowance. List 962 can be can be modified asneeded by a sponsoring entity that provides credits to user 905 based onhis or her behavior.

One Embodiment of Disclosure Depicting Sponsored Initiative Credits

FIG. 10 is a depiction of a scenario and a set of GUIs for convertingnon-negotiable credits earned through sponsored initiatives or subsidiesinto negotiable and/or entity-independent funds in accordance with anembodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Theadditional incentives depicted in the following description are broaderand economy or market based than the incentive structure discussed inFIG. 9.

Unlike a private good (such as an individual's own health), in this casecredits can be earned from enhancing a public good or service. As usedherein, a public good is a good that is non-rival and non-excludable.Non-rivalry means that consumption of the good by one individual doesnot reduce availability of the good for consumption by others; andnon-excludability means that no one can be effectively excluded fromusing the good. Non-excludability may cause problems for the productionof such goods. Uncoordinated markets driven by self-interested partiesmay be unable to provide these goods in optimal quantities, if at all.As such, subsidies can be used as incentives for individuals tocontribute to or produce a public good.

A subsidy can be an assistance paid to a business or economic sectorthrough a variety of ways (either directly to the business or industryor indirectly through subsidizing the business or industry's consumers'purchases). Most subsidies are made by the government, but can also bean assistance granted by others such as individuals or non-governmentalinstitutions, to producers or distributed as subventions in an industryto prevent the decline of that industry (e.g., as a result of continuousunprofitable operations) or an increase in the prices of its products orsimply to ensure it remains competitive.

The type of subsidy applied in the sponsored initiative embodiment 1010and the market promotion embodiment 1030 is generally referred to as adirect subsidy or consumption subsidy meaning that an entity provideseconomic incentives (credit subsidies to be converted to “cash” ornegotiable and/or entity-independent funds) to a purchaser or user of agood or service. For example, sponsored initiative embodiment 1010 showsa subsidy project, in this instance a green initiative, whereindividuals can receive non-negotiable credits 1014 from engaging ingreen actions and behavior 1012 such as carpooling, recycling, buyingelectric cars, and the like.

To further enhance the economic sector of the green initiative andmaintain its competitiveness the non-negotiable credits 1014 can beconverted to negotiable and/or entity-independent funds to be utilizedin the purchase of further green products and services tracked insponsored initiative GUI 1015. Sponsored initiative GUI 1015 can trackand maintain a credit balance 1017 to be redeemed for products 1019offered by sponsored and approved green initiative venders that are notaffiliated with the original credit providing entity. Other types ofsubsidy credits are contemplated and the above example is not intendedto be limiting.

An additional type of subsidy credit can be a market promotionembodiment 1030. It should be noted that while the following descriptioncenters on a mobile application, the disclosure should not be construedas limited to a mobile application. Market promotion embodiment 1030 caninclude a mobile device 1002, for example an iPHONE or ANDROIDsmartphone, which can provide access to a credit earning and conversionapplication. The mobile device 1032 can include a display area 1034 andan input mechanism 1036, which, in this example, are one-and-the-same.That is, the display area 1034 of a mobile device 1032 can also be usedas the input mechanism 1036, for example, with a touch screen.

Mobile device 1032 display 1034 can present the user with an app of theday 1035 marketplace. The app of the day marketplace 1035 can includeapp promotion 1036 summary as well as more detailed app (of the day)information 1037. For example, an NFL Superbowl Tracker application canbe offered as a free app of the day. This free app can, in oneembodiment, be due to a previous qualifying app purchase as noted in theapp information 1037 section. In another embodiment, the app promotioncan be freely available to all users regardless of prior app purchases.App of the day 1035 display can also include a back button 1038 toreturn the user to a prior screen or an install button 1039 to downloadand install the promoted app of the day 1036 to his or her mobile device1032. In such a manner a user engaged in a conversion of non-negotiableto negotiable and/or entity-independent funds. The marketplace willoffer the app of the day for free to its purchasers (as a non-negotiablecredit that to the marketplace is a negative one, expended formarketing, good will, or another intangible benefit) but still reimbursethe app provider with the usual amount of payment for the app or the appprovider receives a tax write-off, or the like.

In another embodiment, upon successful installation of the app promotion1036, the user may access a used app store 1040 via mobile device 1032.The Used app store 1040 can present the user with resale options 1042 ofinstalled applications of the mobile device 1032. Additionally, the usedapp store 1040 can include a button for buying used apps 1044 as well asa button to view sale history 1046. A user selling an application in asecondary marketplace is a type of non-negotiable fund to negotiablefund (money or otherwise) exchange. The sale can be for credits that canbe converted to cash or cash itself. The currency for this transactioncan, in one embodiment, be tracked and maintained within an e-walletapplication or rewards account, and the like.

Other types of promotions for credits are contemplated. For example,airlines allow sales for a limited time period for certain flights ordestinations earning a consumer double or triple the loyalty points.Loyalty points can be converted to negotiable and/or entity-independentfunds or can be transferred or gifted to another member in a transaction(which can be viewed as the reverse of a non-negotiable to negotiableand/or entity-independent funds exchange from the viewpoint of theaccount holder).

One Embodiment of Disclosure Depicting Social Networking Credits

FIG. 11 is a depiction of scenarios and GUIs for convertingnon-negotiable credits earned through social networking activities intonegotiable and/or entity-independent funds in accordance with anembodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Many types ofsocial or community enhancing activities are contemplated for thepurpose of earning credits to be converted to negotiable and/orentity-independent funds. The following embodiments are for exemplarypurposes only and other social networking credit embodiments arecontemplated.

Social networking, as used herein, refers to platforms that focus on thebuilding and reflecting of social networks or social relations amongpeople, who, for example, share interests and/or activities. As suchthey can be individual or group-centered. Social networking servicesallow users to share ideas, activities, events, and interests withintheir individual or group networks. Generally, a social network serviceconsists of a representation of each user (often a profile), his/hersocial links, and a variety of additional services.

It should be noted that most social network services are web-based andprovide means for users to interact over the Internet, such as e-mailand instant messaging. As such, social networking credit services can beintegrated into e-commerce sites to allow for social feedback actions1110, social outreach actions 1150, and the like.

Social feedback actions embodiment 1110 can illustrate how a consumermay earn credits from providing reviews or other services that allowsother members of his or her social network to act in a more informedmanner. Decision making of other members of the social network areimproved the more information (or certainty) is added to a specificsituation or choice. It should be noted that more informed individualswill be able to make more rational choices in the economic sense, whichsubsequently facilitates the prediction of market behavior for economicentities. As such, both consumers as well as suppliers benefit from theproliferation of social feedback options for credit.

E-commerce site 1120 can sell products and services and allow purchasersto perform socially serving activities in exchange for providing themwith credits in the form of loyalty points, discounts, or othernon-negotiable credits. Social credit action GUI 1122 shows one exampleof such a socially serving activity. In this embodiment, the creditgarnering activity can be leaving a review for a previously purchasedgood such as writing a book review on AMAZON.

Options associated with the social credit action GUI 1122 can include avisual ranking (starts) 1124 option as well as a descriptive text rating1126. The form can also include a submit button 1127 that can publishthe user created review to e-commerce site 1120, and a cancel button1129 that can return the user to e-commerce site 1120 without publishinga social credit action or review. An optional account button 1128 canprovide a means for a credit user to reach his or her awards creditaccount (such as social credit account GUI 1130) directly from ane-commerce site 1120.

User selection of the account button 1128 can launch the social creditaccount GUI 1130. The credit account GUI 1130 can include a listing foroverall account balance 1132 as well as a details pane 1134. Detailspane 1134 can list the user's past credit garnering actions and abreakdown of the amount of credits gained from various types of socialfeedback actions. For example, a user can have earned credits fromwriting reviews, sharing a review, liking another individual's review(or marking it as useful or helpful) or receiving a helpful status ofone of his or her own reviews.

It should be noted that in one embodiment, receiving a “helpful” statuson a written review by another credit account holder can garner a useradditional credits to the original writing of the review to encouragehonesty and more perfect information to enter the market. Similarly, auser may receive a dock in credits (negative credits) when one of his orher social feedback actions is deemed as irrelevant or untrue. Otheroptions for creating an effective incentive structure for social actionsare contemplated. GUI 1130 can also include a button 1136 to encourageuse of credits for a purchase.

Social outreach action embodiment 1150 depicts another type of socialproliferation of information within the marketplace. In this instance, adeal site 1152 (for example, an e-commerce site providing goods andservices as well as daily deals on purchases to customers) can present aconsumer with a summary page 1152 of a recently purchased deal for agood or service. The summary page 1154 can include purchase information1156, as well as a social outreach option 1158 coupled to the recentlypurchased good or service that can garner a purchaser credits in theform of non-negotiable and/or entity-independent funds.

It should be noted that deal site 1152 can be any site for an entitythat can function as a retailer or “front” for other venders (e.g.,Amazon, eBay stores, Newegg marketplace, etc.) where any credits,loyalty points, discounts, membership benefits (e.g., even free shippingon AMAZON PRIME) that can be considered an “earning” someone is payingfor, involve a conversion of non-negotiable credits to negotiable and/orentity-independent funds from one entity to another. In effect theretailer or front party supplements the vender that it is a storefrontfor, for the non-negotiable credits extended to the deal site 1152'smembers or credit recipients.

In one embodiment, there can be a requirement associated with thecredits. For example, a requirement can be set that a user's socialoutreach actions lead to three of his or her social network contactspurchasing the same item before a user will be given credits. In thisinstance, the credits can be that the original purchaser's transactionis free. This is in effect a set of non-negotiable and/orentity-independent funds extended to the purchaser by the deal site 1152to be utilized in purchasing (with negotiable and/or entity-independentfunds) a deal for goods or services from another entity at a discount.

Selection of the social outreach option 1158 can launch a sharingoptions GUI 1160 to be presented to the purchaser. Sharing options GUI1160 can include quicklinks or address fields for social network contactoptions 1162 (for example, a credit account holder's FACEBOOK friends,TWITTER followers, GOOGLE+ contacts, or OUTLOOK contacts). In thismanner, sharing options GUI 1160 can provide convenient and quickdissemination of the site 1152's information to a user's social network.In this embodiment, sharing options GUI 1160 can be coupled to anindividual's social networking contact lists. A submit button 1164 canbe included to launch messages sharing the deal purchase as well as acancel button 1166 that can return the user to the deal site 1152.

A further example of vender transactions discussed above can include aphone service company extending a discount on a new mobile phone to acustomer for signing an additional contract. The discount the customerreceives is a form of non-negotiable fund that the phone service companycan convert into negotiable and/or entity-independent funds (as theywill be paying the supplier of the new mobile phone the full price forthe item). Additional scenarios where an entity supplements anotherentity downstream for a credit given to a purchaser are contemplated.

One Embodiment of Disclosure Depicting Credit Advance for Future CreditsEarned

FIG. 12 is a depiction of successive GUIs that illustrate a web basedcredit advance and subsequent conversion of non-negotiable credits intonegotiable and/or entity-independent funds in accordance with anembodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Most of thetime, a user will have earned credits from engaging in previousinteractions with a credit providing entity. However, it should beappreciated that at times consumers may wish to purchase additionalcredits or request a credit advance to complete a purchase withnon-negotiable and/or entity-independent funds converted to negotiableand/or entity-independent funds.

In this manner, a credit account holder may wish to engage in a loanpolicy for credits in exchange for a guarantee of future acts orbehavior that would earn him or her non-negotiable credits. The creditloan is a policy that can take advantage of a credit account holder'slack of impulse control in regards to purchasing behavior by allowing auser to immediately purchase a desired good or purchase but delaypayment until a later time.

As used herein, a loan is a type of debt. Like all debt instruments, aloan entails the redistribution of financial assets over time, betweenthe lender and the borrower. In a loan, the borrower initially receivesor borrows an amount of money (or in this instance credits), called theprincipal, from the lender, and is obligated to pay back or repay anequal amount of credits to the lender at a later time. The credits canbe paid back in regular installments, or partial repayments; in anannuity, each installment is the same amount. It should be noted thatthe loan (or credit advance) can generally be provided at a cost,referred to as interest on the debt, which provides an incentive for thelender to engage in the loan or credit advance.

Conventionally, an advance service for funds can allow credit accountholders to withdraw credits, either through an ATM or over the counterat a bank or other financial agency, up to a certain limit. Suchadvances can generally incur a fee (to replace the interchange feenormally charged to the merchant on a card transaction), although thiscan be waived if the account is in credit. It should be noted thatcredit advances can be, but are not required to be administered in aconventional advance service manner. That is, in one embodiment, higherconversion ratios for credit advances can be required for purchasesmaking a credit advance fee dependent upon the amount of creditsrequested, while in another embodiment a credit advance can include aone-time fixed credit fee associated with the credit loan or advance. Itshould be understood that other arrangements for the loan of credits tobe utilized for conversion to non-negotiable and/or entity-independentfunds are contemplated.

E-commerce site register GUI 1210 can be a checkout window from ane-commerce site. GUI 310 includes payment button 1212, which representsa payment option that includes the conversion of non-negotiable creditsto purchase the items in the shopping cart. Selection of payment button1212 by a user can produce GUI 1220.

E-wards account GUI 1220 can be a display window from a conversionagency. GUI 1220 can include a message communicating a user's creditaccount balance of non-negotiable, entertainment credits earned from oneor more game providing entities, or the status of the account inrelation to the requested purchase amount from GUI 1210. It should benoted that when a user has enough credits to complete the purchase, heor she can be presented with a credit account GUI to choose the type ofcredits to apply to his or her requested purchase as summarized in GUI1210.

In this instance, however, a message notifying the user that there areinsufficient funds in place can provide a user with three button options(cancel purchase 1222, add other form of payment 1224, or request creditloan 1226). GUI 320 can be rendered by any of a variety of meansincluding, but not limited to, a Web browser, a JAVA applet, a PERLscript, and the like. In one embodiment, GUI 320 can be contained withinthe e-commerce site.

Selection of cancel button 1222 by a user cancels the transaction andcan return the user to GUI 1210. Selection of the add other form ofpayment button 1224 can result in a conventional credit card or PayPalpayment GUI being presented to the user to supplement or replace thecredit based payment. Selection of the credit loan button 1226 canproduce credit advance agreement GUI 1230.

GUI 1230 can be rendered by any of a variety of means including, but notlimited to, a Web browser, a JAVA applet, a PERL script, and the like.In one embodiment, GUI 1230 can be contained within the e-commerce site.GUI 1230 contains a means by which the user selects the amount or eventype of non-negotiable credits to advance including, but not limited to,a set of radio buttons, a set of checkboxes, a highlighting mechanism,and the like. Display box 1232 can display the monetary value of theselected non-negotiable credits as well as the amount of credits to beadvanced for conversion and purchase completion at the e-commerce site.The value displayed in display box 1232 can be based on presetconversion factors.

Selection of cancel button 1234 by a user cancels the credit advanceprocess and can return the user to GUI 1210. Button 1238 can representthe initiation of the process by which the selected non-negotiablecredits are advanced and subsequently converted to negotiable and/orentity-independent funds. Selection of button 1238 by a user can bedependent upon a user actively acknowledging terms and conditions 1236of the requested credit advance and can produce GUI 1240. As such,selection of button 1238 by a user completes the transaction initiatedin GUI 1210 and can produce GUI 1240.

E-commerce site 1240 GUI can be a display window from the same saide-commerce site. GUI 1240 can contain a message acknowledging thesuccessful conversion of the user's non-negotiable credits intonegotiable and/or entity-independent funds for the purchase of the itemsin the shopping cart.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a set of interfaces 1300within a game of chance for the conversion of non-negotiable credits tonegotiable and/or entity-independent funds in accordance with anembodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. In interfaces1300, a user controlled character 1311 within a game of chance 1310 canbe utilized to earn entertainment credits (e.g., experience points 1316)by interacting with a virtual world of the game of chance 1310.Experience points 1316 can be automatically converted within game 1310using interface 1320. The result of the conversion can producenegotiable credits (e.g., a user account credit 1326) which can be usedby the user in one or more traditional ways. For example, the conversioncan be used by the user to supplement a payment of an onlinesubscription to game 1310. In one instance, game 1310 can be a massivelymultiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). For example, the game ofchance 1310 can be an MMORPG game.

Experience points 1316 can be earned by interacting with entities withinthe game of chance 1310 where interactions are governed in part by arandomization component. For example, character 1311 can perform combatwith a computer controlled opponent which can respond to user controlledcharacter actions by the use of a random action algorithm to performappropriate reactions. In one embodiment, game 1310 can encompass one ormore randomization elements which can include, but is not limited to,combat interaction, loot generation, non-playable character (NPC)interactions, and the like. It should be appreciated that game 1310 canbe highly dynamic and randomized environment which can supportsingle-player mode and/or multiplayer mode.

In game of chance 1310, a character 1311 can be utilized by a user tocomplete an objective (e.g., Quest A). In one instance, objectivecompletion can be presented quest interface 1312 permitting visualconfirmation of the objective. In the instance, interface 1312 caninclude a conversion option 1314 which can permit the conversion ofexperience points 1316 to a user selectable option. For example,conversion option 1314 can be a user interactive button which cantrigger the presentation of interface 1320. Experience details 1318 canbe utilized to present information about total experience points earnedduring character's existence. Details 1318 can provide pertinentexperience point information when a cursor is placed over experiencepoint 1316 presentation (e.g., XP bar). For example, experience points1316 can be presented as a horizontal bar within game 1310 interface. Inone instance, experience details 1318 can be customized to presentconversion information about a user defined goal. In the instance, auser can specify negotiable fund goals (e.g., monetary sums),entertainment credit goals (e.g., gold pieces), and the like. Forexample, details 1318 can present the amount of experience pointsrequired to reach a ten dollar conversion.

Upon selection of conversion option 1314, interface 1320 can bepresented within game 1310. Interface 1320 can include conversionoptions 1322, configuration options 1324, and conversion information1326. Conversion options 1322 can include, but is not limited to,conversion of experience points 1316 into virtual currency, accountcredit, discounts at e-commerce sites, dragon kill points (DKP), and thelike. In configuration options 1324, a user specified quantity ofexperience points can be converted to selection option 1322. Forexample, a user can choose to convert two thousand experience points toan account credit. In conversion information 1326, information aboutconversion outcome for experience points can be presented. In oneinstance, information can present a quantity of negotiable and/orentity-independent funds to be received, conversion rate details, andthe like. It should be appreciated that conversion rates can be dynamicand or constant. In one embodiment, conversion rates can be tied to game1310 economy permitting economic state to dictate conversion rates.

In one embodiment, conversion of experience points can negatively affectcharacter development. In the embodiment, a quantity of experiencepoints can be deducted from the character based on the configurationoptions 1324 specified by user. For example, if a user selects toconvert two thousand experience points into a one dollar account creditthe character 1311 can be reduced to one thousand experience points fromthree thousand experience points. It should be appreciated thatexperience points can be continually gained and lost through game 1310interaction and conversion options 1314.

In section 1330, a portion of game 1310 interface can be presenteddisplaying the outcome of the conversion. In section 1330, experiencedetails can be presented in a tooltip 1334 which can indicate thecurrent experience points of the character 1311 resulting from theconversion. For example, experience points 1322 can be a shortenedhorizontal bar indicating the portion of the level which the character1311 has achieved.

Drawings presented herein are for illustrative purposes only and shouldnot be construed to limit the invention in any regard. It should beappreciated that the disclosure is not limited to the conversion ofexperience points within game 1310. It should be appreciated thatoptions 1322 can be mutually exclusive, combinatorial and the like. Forexample, a user can convert experience points into a sum of gold piecesand an ecommerce store credit. It should be understood that thefunctionality described within interfaces 1300 can be performed by aplug-in, Web-enabled service, 13rd-party tools, and the like. Forexample, interface 1320 can be a screen of an add-on software. It shouldbe appreciated that conversion functionality can be performed by aconversion agency intermediary independent of game 1310 provider.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a set of interfaces 1400within a game of chance for the conversion of non-negotiable credits tonegotiable and/or entity-independent funds in accordance with anembodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. In interfaces1400, entertainment credits obtained from one or more achievementswithin a game of chance 1450 can be converted to negotiable and/orentity-independent funds which can be utilized in game of chance 1460.For example, an achievement completed in Game A can be converted to goldpieces (e.g., in-game currency) of a Game B. In one embodiment,conversion can be a two step process similar to an import/exportprocedure. In the embodiment, a user can select to convert achievementpoints within a Game A to Game B currency. In the embodiment, theconversion can be initiated within interface 1451 of game 1450 andcompleted within interface 1461 of game 1460. It should be appreciatedthat the disclosure is not limited in this regard and can include a onestage process.

In game 1450, an interface 1451 can be presented indicating anachievement accomplishment. Interface 1451 can include achievementinformation, conversion option 1452, conversion element 1454, and thelike. Conversion option 1452 can be a user selectable option which canpermit conversion of entertainment credits (e.g., achievement points) tobe utilized as negotiable credits (e.g., silver pieces) within one ormore different games (e.g., Game B, Game C). It should be understoodthat the conversion can include one or more conversion rates which canbe associated with one or more games. For example, if a game has threetypes of virtual currency, each type can be presented as an option forconversion. It should be appreciated that games can include games fromone or more different vendors.

In game of chance 1460, an interface 1461 can present conversion detailsfor receiving negotiable and/or entity-independent funds fromentertainment credits. Interface 1461 can include, but is not limitedto, game selection 1462, conversion preferences 1464, and the like. Forexample, pending conversions (e.g., Game A achievement) can be presentedwithin game selection 1462. In conversion preferences 1464, userselectable preferences for receiving funds can be specified. Forexample, ten achievement points can be converted to a quantity of twentysilver pieces within Game B. In one instance, conversions within FIG.14B can be performed from a centralized user interface (e.g., conversioninterface) which can permit immediate conversion of entertainmentcredits to negotiable and/or entity-independent funds. Upon selection ofelement 1466, a user profile associated with Game B can be accreditedwith funds.

Drawings presented herein are for illustrative purposes only and shouldnot be construed to limit the invention in any regard. It should beappreciated that achievements can include, individual achievements,group based achievements, and the like. For example, achievements caninclude successful completion of a raid encounter (e.g., killing a bossopponent) or a group quest.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a set of embodiments 1500, 1530within a game of chance for the conversion of non-negotiableentertainment credits to negotiable and/or entity-independent funds inaccordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosedherein. In embodiment 1500, tool 1512 within game of chance 1510 canpermit conversion of entertainment credits (e.g., harvested crops) tonegotiable and/or entity-independent funds (e.g., micropayment). Inembodiment 1530, interface 1534, 1536 can allow game of chance 1532earned credits to be converted into vendor specific vouchers.

In game of chance 1510, a tool 1512 can be utilized to convert usergenerated earnings to negotiable and/or entity-independent funds. In oneinstance, game 1510 can be a simulation based game permitting earningsto be accrued which can determine user success within the game. Forexample, game 1510 can be a farming simulation which allows theplanting, harvesting, and selling of crops (e.g., at a virtual market ingame 1510) to advance the gameplay. It should be appreciated thatearnings can include, but is not limited to, virtual currency (e.g.,farm coins), experience points, crops, animals, and the like.

In one instance, tool 1512 can trigger the presentation of interface1512. In the instance, interface 1512 can include, but is not limitedto, earned credits 1520 information, converted funds 1522 details, andthe like. In one embodiment, game of chance 1510 can be a multiplayergame (e.g., co-operative gameplay) associated with an online socialnetwork framework. For example, game 1510 can be a social networkinggame. It should be appreciated that game 1510 outcome can be affected byone or more random variables including, multiplayer interaction, virtualeconomy state, and the like. In interface 1512, user selectable credits1520 can be chosen to be converted into funds 1522. In one instance,interface 1512 can be an interface able to support co-operativegameplay. In the instance, interface 1512 can be presented in responseto a co-operative user action within a second user interface of game1510. For example, a second user (e.g., John) can initiate a conversionaction which can convert harvested crops into fifty cents upon approvalby the first user. That is, interface 1512 can be a mechanism forco-operative gameplay with conversion capabilities. It should beappreciated that interface 1512 can include capabilities which supportother co-operative gameplay including, but not limited to, trading,group-based objectives, and the like.

In game of chance 1532, points earned from presence registration at avenue associated with a location based service can be converted into anegotiable voucher. Game of chance 1532 can include, but is not limitedto, online social network game, location based game, and the like. Forexample, game of chance 1532 can include geocaching games which canreward points for locating cached objects. In one instance, game 1532can be associated with a location based social networking Web site. Forexample, game 1532 can be a mobile application for earning statusadvancement (e.g., points, badges, titles, etc.) by presenceregistration (e.g., “check-in”) at a venue. It should be appreciatedthat earnings can be affected by one or more random variables including,user-to-user interactions, venue promotions, and the like.

In interface 1534, conversion of earned points (e.g., from “check-ins”)can be performed utilizing conversion artifact 1544. Interface 1534 caninclude, but is not limited to, earnings information 1541, conversionoption 1542, conversion artifact 1544, and the like. For example,interface 1534 can present the points earned by a user (e.g., 1000points), a conversion option (e.g., coupon information), and a mechanismfor initiating conversion (e.g., “Buy Coupon” button). In one instance,interface 1534 can be presented when a quantity of earning is reached.For example, when a user reaches one thousand points, the interface 1534can be automatically presented upon check-in. In another instance,interface 1534 can be manually selected from a set of conversion optionsassociated with the game of chance 1532. In one embodiment, conversionoption 1542 can be a voucher for a venue associated with a previouspresence registration. For example, a discount (e.g., option 1542) canbe selected based on one or more places the user has visited in the pastthirty days.

Upon conversion initiation via conversion artifact 1544, conversion 1540can be performed. Interface 1536 can be presented responsive to theconversion 1540. In interface 1536, a coupon 1552 can be presented whichcan be utilized by a user as a negotiable entity. In one instance,coupon 1552 can be automatically and/or manually utilized. For example,coupon 1552 can be automatically added to a user account associated witha venue at which the coupon is redeemable. In one embodiment, interface1536 can present electronic and non-electronic options for couponredemption. In the embodiment, an electronic redemption button 1550 canpermit the presentation of coupon 1552 which can be communicated toproximate electronic devices. For example, “Use Now!” button 1550 canpresent coupon 1552 with barcode (e.g., linear, QR) which can be scannedat a register to provide a discount at checkout (e.g. upon itempurchase). In the embodiment, interface 1552 can permit a hardcopy ofthe coupon 1552 to be created which can be utilized as a traditionalcoupon.

FIG. 16A is a flowchart showing a simplistic depiction of a loyaltyprogram. The most basic elements are that loyalty programs requirememberships, where members can earn points in that member's account. Thepoints can be used to purchase rewards offered by the loyalty program.

FIG. 16B shows embodiments of the present disclosure that includematerial limitations to create a bridge between two different loyaltyprograms with their own program specific boundaries.

The present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software. The present invention may berealized in a centralized fashion in one computer system or in adistributed fashion where different elements are spread across severalinterconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or otherapparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein issuited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a generalpurpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loadedand executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out themethods described herein.

The present invention also may be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of aset of instructions intended to cause a system having an informationprocessing capability to perform a particular function either directlyor after either or both of the following: a) conversion to anotherlanguage, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different materialform.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

This invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from thespirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should bemade to the following claims, rather than to the foregoingspecification, as indicating the scope of the invention. As used in theclaims herein (consistent with the specification as interpreted by oneof ordinary skill) claimed terms are to be interpreted as follows (thatis, all claim construction of the following claims are to be construedconsistent with the below term definitions—so any ambiguity in thespecification that includes multiple embodiments is to be resolvedconsistent with the below when interpreting the claims in light of thespecification). With regard to the loyalty program (where the entity isthe loyalty program operator) and the different loyalty program (wherethe commerce partner is the loyalty program operator) value of theloyalty program points is secured (or backed) by the respective loyaltyprogram operator. That is, loyalty program points (of the loyaltyprogram) and different loyalty program points (of the different loyaltyprogram) are non-negotiable units of value, where the loyalty programoperator guarantees or creates whatever value is attributed to theseissued points. The loyalty program operator exclusively originates theloyalty program points. The loyalty program operator may (or may not)sell these originated points on an open market (for a program operatordefined cost), the loyalty program operator may (or may not) sell groupsof points that it originated (created from nothing) to other merchantsto distribute to customers. The value of the loyalty program points issubject to unilateral change by the loyalty program operator (althoughcontract law and agreement made with merchants and/or consumers maylegally impose constraints upon these unilateral changes—otherwise thecontrol of value is possessed by the loyalty program operator. If theloyalty program operator goes bankrupt, the value of issued points issubject to bankruptcy determinations. Additionally, in absence ofself-imposed or contractually agreed upon terms, the loyalty programoperator can change the valuation of issued points by fiat, whichaffects holders of these loyally program operator backed points). Termsof the loyalty programs operated by loyalty program operators (both theentity and the commerce partner are loyalty program operators) areestablished by the loyalty program operator. These terms do impose amembership requirement in order to accumulate, maintain, or redeem thepoints granted per terms of the respective programs. Program memberspossess program specific accounts, within which membership points areaccrued. The accounts are stored in non-transitory storage mediumscontrolled (whether physically owned by the program operator or providedas a computing service by a third party) by the program operator perterms of the respective program. The terms of the programs (both theloyalty program and the different loyalty program) impose membershipconditions, impose redemption restrictions, and impose transferrestrictions on the program points held in the program accounts. Theloyalty program operators (both commerce partner and entity for theirrespective programs) utilizes the value of loyalty program points heldin the accounts, utilizes the membership conditions, utilizes theredemption restrictions, and utilizes the transfer restrictions to shapefuture commerce actions of members of the programs in a mannerbeneficial to the program operator such that commerce activities(unrelated to the running of the programs) between a program operatorand members increases (statistically, where individual members may notnecessarily increase but in aggregate statistics averaged across membersexpresses the increases) net revenue from the members for the futurecommerce actions (unrelated to the loyalty program itself, butinfluenced by the loyalty program that shapes member behavior withrewards/constraints) between the members and the program operator whenstatistically compared to anticipated future net revenue from asimilarly positioned non-members. Further, as used herein, the entityand the commerce partner are different legal entities and are not parentor subsidiary entities of each other. Conversions of loyalty programpoints (of the entity's program) to different program points (of thecommerce partner's program) is explicitly permitted by terms of a mutualagreement established between the entity and the commerce partner. Themutual agreement is differentiated from other open market entities basedat least in part on the commerce-based relationship between the entityand the commerce partner. In other words, the commerce partner has abusiness-related relationship with the entity that provides a synergysignificant in shaping consumer behavior in a desired manner as definedby the loyalty program operator. (Once such synergy is between airlinesand hotel partners as airline commercial activities and hotel commerceactivities are market complements. Negative commerce based relationships<like substitute goods, where the relationship is that of a competitor>can be disfavored by not including them in a contract, or by makingcontract terms result in high value loss per transaction). The mutualagreement establishes an agreed upon ratio for converting loyalty pointsto different loyalty program points and establishes a compensationamount to be paid by the entity to the commerce partner on a per-pointbasis for conversions of member points between programs.

The claims as presented herein are intentionally constrained in scopeand breadth to include only patent eligible subject matter. Anyembodiments of the disclosed invention as claimed determined to benon-patent eligible under 35 USC 101 (or determined to be exceedingpermitted bounds of patently of allowable subject matter based on anyjudicially created doctrines, or based upon any statute) are explicitlydisclaimed herein. The claims presented herein are to be construed asbeing limited in scope to include only a process, a machine, amanufacture, and/or a composition of matter as legally defined to bepatent eligible per application of 35 USC 101, and the claims areexplicitly to be construed as excluding any embodiments falling outsidethe patent eligible bounds defined by 35 USC 101. Any interpretation ofclaimed subject matter resulting in coverage of non-patentable abstractideas (under rules based on 35 USC 101) are expressly disclaimed herein.For clarity of doubt, per claim construction (interpreting the claims inthe broadest reasonable fashion in light of the specification) thisspecification explicitly restricts the scope of the claimed subjectmatter to include only embodiments of the claimed subject matter deemedto be patent eligible per application of 35 USC 101. Given the aboveexpressed disclaimer of any embodiments exceeding this scope, anyinterpretation of the claims that includes subject matter exceeding thisexpressly defined scope are to be considered unreasonable and overlybroad interpretations of the claims (as the claims are interpreted intheir broadest reasonable manner in light of the specification).

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: a computer, comprisinghardware and software, responsive to a conversion request from a member,converting a first quantity of loyalty program points of a loyaltyprogram possessed by the member held in a first account to a secondquantity of different loyalty program points possessed by the memberheld in a second account in accordance with a fixed ratio, wherein theloyalty program points and the different loyalty program points arenon-fungible, non-negotiable units of exchange, wherein the loyaltyprogram is a loyalty program of an entity, wherein the different loyaltyprogram is a different loyalty program of a commerce partner, whereinthe entity and the commerce partner are different legal entities and arenot parent or subsidiary entities of each other, wherein the convertingis explicitly permitted by terms of a mutual agreement establishedbetween the entity and the commerce partner, wherein the converting ofthe loyalty program points to the different loyalty program points bothpossessed by the member, who is necessarily a member of both the loyaltyprogram and of the different loyalty program, occurs in accordance withterms defined within the mutual agreement, wherein terms of the mutualagreement define the fixed ratio, wherein applicability of the mutualagreement is confined to conversions between the loyalty program pointsand the different loyalty program points such that the mutual agreementdoes not cover conversions of the loyalty program points to cashvaluations and does not cover conversions of the loyalty program pointsto any unit of value other than the different loyalty program points;and responsive to the converting: (i) subtracting the first quantity ofloyalty program points from the first account; (ii) adding the secondquantity of different loyalty program points to the second account; and(iii) the entity compensating the commerce partner in accordance with acompensation amount defined by the mutual agreement, wherein theconverting performs a transformation that changes the first quantity ofloyalty program points in the first account into the second quantity ofdifferent loyalty program points in the second account, wherein thetransformation changes a physical medium utilized to store respectivevalue from that used for the first account to that used for the secondaccount, wherein the transformation further changes a state of a thingbeing transformed as transformation necessarily triggers accounting andtax events for both the entity and the commerce partner as values in thefirst account and in the second account are altered, wherein before thetransformation, an inherent property of the first quantity of theloyalty program points did not permit the member to purchasegoods/services that the commerce partner provides due to redemptionrestrictions imposed by the terms of the first loyalty program, whereinafter the transformation an inherent property of the second quantity ofthe different loyalty program points of the second account permits themember to purchase the goods/services that the commerce partner providesby expending the second quantity of the different loyalty program pointsof the second account, wherein after the transformation, the secondquantity of different loyalty program points in the second account arenot subject to terms, conditions, or restrictions of the loyaltyprogram, but are instead subject to those of the different loyaltyprogram controlled by the commerce partner.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the computer is a special purpose computer comprising hardwareand software for controlling and maintaining a plurality of accounts,including the first account, of the loyalty program, wherein thecomputer is controlled by the entity, wherein the computer performs atleast the subtracting of the first quantity, wherein the computerinitiates the adding of the second quantity and the compensating of thecommerce partner.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer is aspecial purpose computer comprising hardware and software formanipulating value of the first account and of the second account,wherein the computer is not controlled by the entity or by the commercepartner but is controlled by an independent party from either, whereinthe computer initiates the adding, the subtracting, and thecompensating.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer is aspecial purpose computer comprising hardware and software forcontrolling and maintaining a plurality of accounts, including thesecond account, of the second loyalty program, wherein the computer iscontrolled by the commerce partner, wherein the computer performs atleast the adding of the second quantity, wherein the computer initiatesthe subtracting of the second quantity and the compensating from theentity to the commerce partner.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theconverting, the subtracting, and the adding occur during a singlehuman-to-machine interaction session.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe commerce partner is differentiated from other open market entitiesbased at least in part on the commerce-based relationship between theentity and the commerce partner such that entity is able to satisfyconsumer behavior shaping goals of the loyalty program as applied to themember while permitting the converting per the mutual agreement, whereinsaid consumer behavior shaping goals are compromised if unrestrictedconversions, baselined in accordance with the fixed ratio, of theloyalty program points were permitted with the other open marketentities.
 7. A method comprising: a computer serving a set of one ormore Web pages for a loyalty program of an entity to one or moreremotely located client machines, wherein the Web pages are able to berendered within a client-side browser as a graphical user interface onthe one or more client machines, wherein upon being rendered within theclient-side browser said graphical user interface shows a quantity ofloyalty program points held in a first account for a member of theloyalty program, wherein upon being rendered within the client-sidebrowser the graphical user interface comprises a conversion option toconvert a first quantity of the shown loyalty program points into asecond quantity of different loyalty program points of a differentloyalty program of a commerce partner in accordance with a fixed ratio,wherein the loyalty program points and the different loyalty programpoints are non-fungible, non-negotiable units of exchange, the computerresponsive to receiving a message indicating a selection of theconversion option, processing the selection to effectuate changes in theserved set of Web pages; and responsive to the processing, the computerserving one or more Web pages or Web page updates that include theeffectuated changes to the one or more remotely located client machines,wherein upon being rendered within the client-side browser the graphicaluser interface is updated with the effectuated changes, wherein theupdated graphical user interface shows a reduced quantity of loyaltyprogram points held in the first account, said reduced quantityresulting from the first quantity being subtracted from a total quantityof different loyalty program points of the first account in accordancewith the fixed ratio, wherein the loyalty program points and thedifferent loyalty program points are non-fungible, non-negotiable unitsof exchange, wherein the entity and the commerce partner are differentlegal entities and are not parent or subsidiary entities of each other,wherein the converting is explicitly permitted by terms of a mutualagreement established between the entity and the commerce partner,wherein converting of the loyalty program points to the differentloyalty program points triggered by selection of the conversion optionoccurs in accordance with terms defined within the mutual agreement,wherein the member is necessarily a member of both the loyalty programand of the different loyalty program, wherein applicability of themutual agreement is confined to conversions between the loyalty programpoints and the different loyalty program points such that the mutualagreement does not cover conversions of the loyalty program points tocash valuations and does not cover conversions of the loyalty programpoints to any unit of value other than the different loyalty programpoints, wherein the serving of the set, the receiving, and the servingof the Web pages or Web page updates that include the effectuatedchanges occurs during a single human-to-machine interaction session,wherein the processing performs a transformation that changes the firstquantity of loyalty program points in the first account into the secondquantity of different loyalty program points in the second account,wherein the transformation changes a physical medium utilized to storerespective value from that used for the first account to that used forthe second account, wherein the transformation further changes a stateof a thing being transformed as transformation necessarily triggersaccounting and tax events for both the entity and the commerce partneras values in the first account and in the second account are altered,wherein before the transformation, an inherent property of the firstquantity of the loyalty program points did not permit the member topurchase goods/services that the commerce partner provides due toredemption restrictions imposed by the terms of the first loyaltyprogram, wherein after the transformation an inherent property of thesecond quantity of the different loyalty program points of the secondaccount permits the member to purchase the goods/services that thecommerce partner provides by expending the second quantity of thedifferent loyalty program points of the second account, wherein afterthe transformation, the second quantity of different loyalty programpoints in the second account are not subject to terms, conditions, orrestrictions of the loyalty program, but are instead subject to those ofthe different loyalty program controlled by the commerce partner.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the computer is a special purpose computercomprising hardware and software for serving Web pages of a Web siteaccessed via the client-side browser.
 9. The method of claim 7, whereinthe Web pages served by the computer are Web pages of a Web sitecontrolled by the entity for the loyalty program.
 10. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the Web pages served by the computer are Web pages of aWeb site controlled by the commerce partner for the different loyaltyprogram.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the updated graphical userinterface shows a quantity of different loyalty program points resultingfrom converting the first quantity of loyalty program points into thesecond quantity of different loyalty program points in accordance withthe fixed ratio of the mutual agreement.
 12. The method of claim 7,wherein the commerce partner is differentiated from other open marketentities based at least in part on the commerce-based relationshipbetween the entity and the commerce partner such that entity is able tosatisfy consumer behavior shaping goals of the loyalty program asapplied to the member while permitting the converting per the mutualagreement, wherein said consumer behavior shaping goals are compromisedif unrestricted conversions, baselined in accordance with the fixedratio, of the loyalty program points were permitted with the other openmarket entities.
 13. A system comprising: one or more processors; one ormore non-transitory storage mediums comprising program instructions ableto execute on the one or more processors, wherein execution of theprogram instructions by the one or more processors: converts a firstquantity of loyalty program points of a loyalty program possessed by themember held in a first account to a second quantity of different loyaltyprogram points possessed by the member held in a second account inaccordance with a fixed ratio, wherein the loyalty program points andthe different loyalty program points are non-fungible, non-negotiableunits of exchange, wherein the loyalty program is a loyalty program ofan entity, wherein the different loyalty program is a different loyaltyprogram of a commerce partner, wherein the entity and the commercepartner are different legal entities and are not parent or subsidiaryentities of each other, wherein converting by execution of the programinstructions is explicitly permitted by terms of a mutual agreementestablished between the entity and the commerce partner, wherein theconverting of the loyalty program points to the different loyaltyprogram points both possessed by the member, who is necessarily a memberof both the loyalty program and of the different loyalty program, occursin accordance with terms defined within the mutual agreement, whereinterms of the mutual agreement define the fixed ratio, whereinapplicability of the mutual agreement is confined to conversions betweenthe loyalty program points and the different loyalty program points suchthat the mutual agreement does not cover conversions of the loyaltyprogram points to cash valuations and does not cover conversions of theloyalty program points to any unit of value other than the differentloyalty program points; and responsive to the converting: (i)subtracting the first quantity of loyalty program points from the firstaccount; (ii) adding the second quantity of different loyalty programpoints to the second account; and (iii) the entity compensating thecommerce partner in accordance with a compensation amount defined by themutual agreement, wherein execution of the program instructions thatconverts the first quantity into the second quantity performs atransformation that changes the first quantity of loyalty program pointsin the first account into the second quantity of different loyaltyprogram points in the second account, wherein the transformation changesa physical medium utilized to store respective value from that used forthe first account to that used for the second account, wherein thetransformation further changes a state of a thing being transformed astransformation necessarily triggers accounting and tax events for boththe entity and the commerce partner as values in the first account andin the second account are altered, wherein before the transformation, aninherent property of the first quantity of the loyalty program pointsdid not permit the member to purchase goods/services that the commercepartner provides due to redemption restrictions imposed by the terms ofthe first loyalty program, wherein after the transformation an inherentproperty of the second quantity of the different loyalty program pointsof the second account permits the member to purchase the goods/servicesthat the commerce partner provides by expending the second quantity ofthe different loyalty program points of the second account, whereinafter the transformation, the second quantity of different loyaltyprogram points in the second account are not subject to terms,conditions, or restrictions of the loyalty program, but are insteadsubject to those of the different loyalty program controlled by thecommerce partner.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the commercepartner is differentiated from other open market entities based at leastin part on the commerce-based relationship between the entity and thecommerce partner such that entity is able to satisfy consumer behaviorshaping goals of the loyalty program as applied to the member whilepermitting the converting per the mutual agreement, wherein saidconsumer behavior shaping goals are compromised if unrestrictedconversions, baselined in accordance with the fixed ratio, of theloyalty program points were permitted with the other open marketentities.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein execution of the programinstructions that converts, subtracts, and adds occur during a singlehuman-to-machine interaction session.
 16. The system of claim 13,wherein the program instructions comprise special purpose instructionsand/or specialized hardware for serving Web pages of a loyalty programto client-side browsers of members.
 17. The system of claim 13, whereinthe program instructions comprise special purpose instructions and/orspecialized hardware for managing and maintaining the loyalty program.